Op-ed: Park investment important for Wood County
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There is no shortage of research into the economic, health and quality-of-life benefits that well-maintained and well-used public parks have for those who live, work and play near them, but this sort of reading can be dry and not very inspiring. Nevertheless, a quick trip past the full parking lots and facilities of Mountwood Park on many afternoons and most weekends makes it clear that the citizens of Wood County -- and even those of surrounding states -- already understand its value for their lives.
While much of this understanding may just be based on the fun or exercise a day at the park can provide, the people of Wood County should also recognize the economic benefits that Mountwood Park and other area parks offer. A recent analysis of the economic impact of public parks by the National Recreation and Park Association based on data from 2021 found that West Virginia's parks employed 1,745 people, brought in $60,317,087 in labor income, had a value added of $103,781,471, and had a total economic output of $245,121,969. In addition to the positive physical and mental benefits of parks for those who spend time there, parks are powerful tools for economic development and for bringing in tourism revenue for West Virginia's communities.
None of this happens, however, without the help of citizens, civic leaders, agencies and organizations whose leadership and hard work make their public parks fiscally sound and recreationally engaging places for the people who visit them.
As Wood County's largest park, Mountwood is a successful example of this leadership and hard work in action. Built in the 1970s primarily with federal funds that were never intended to be a source of sustaining income, a great deal of local ingenuity, vision and labor have gone into shepherding Mountwood through its lean years into its vibrant present and toward an even brighter future. Many have contributed to this effort.
Foremost, through professional management based upon strategic planning and the thoughtful allocation of resources, Mountwood's grounds and facilities have been maintained and progressively upgraded in ways that improve their attractiveness and usefulness. Park employees, under Wood County Parks Director, Jeremy Cross, work diligently to improve not only what the visiting public sees, but also much that is not so obvious.
The efforts of management and staff at Mountwood are aided by the funding and work of many others. These include local, state and federal agencies, whose resources have greatly assisted the park in its sustenance and growth; nonprofits such as the Friends of Mountwood and the River Valley Mountain Bike Association, whose years of sweat equity are evident throughout the park; and the knowledgeable and dedicated Mountwood Park board, who volunteer their time to make Mountwood the best that it can be.
In particular, the Wood County Commission has played an important role in recent decades in funding and helping to manage the challenges such a large park as Mountwood and its infrastructure inevitably face. Notably, the vision and work ethic of Commissioner Blair Couch, who has contributed 18 years as liaison between the county commission and Mountwood Park and countless hours as a park board member and officer, have been instrumental in the park's successes and revitalization.
The results of these combined efforts are apparent. Park-goers can picnic, camp, lodge, explore interpretive exhibits, reserve shelters and facilities for private events, or experience the many annual special events that Mountwood hosts. They can tour the fascinating Volcano historical museum and visitor center, fish and paddle 50-acre Mountwood Lake, play disc golf, exercise their dogs at the dog park, ride the ATV trail system north of U.S. Route 50, and practice their aim at the new, state-of-the-art archery range. Visitors can also explore the scenic and historic forests of Mountwood by mountain bike or on foot on its 40-mile, volunteer built and maintained trail system.
Further development at Mountwood is also on the way. Significant grant funding and private donations have been secured to expand Mountwood's museum and historical exhibits, enhance the ATV trail system, expand the mountain biking and hiking trail system and improve its signage and trailheads, and construct a family campground south of U.S. Route 50.
Mountwood Park will also be included as one of five initial hub areas in the Mountaineer Trail Network, a nonmotorized equivalent to the Hatfield-McCoy motorized trail system in southern West Virginia. Originally created by the West Virginia Legislature in 2019, this trail authority covers a 16-county footprint in the northcentral part of our state. Once launched in early 2025, it will collaboratively market many of the best mountain biking and water trail systems in West Virginia to a national audience, bringing in additional tourism revenue and economic development to the communities surrounding these trails.
Investments in parks such as Mountwood pay dividends many times over by helping to retain current residents, especially our youth, and by helping to attract more people and businesses to our area. Parks are indispensable parts of healthy communities, and encouraging investment in them should continue to be a priority for Wood County.
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Chris Swarr, of Walker, W.Va., is president of the Wood County Parks and Recreation Commission.
(Source: 2023-economic-impact-report.pdf (nrpa.org))