Wheeling Park boasts most inclusive playground in West Virginia after $1.2M renovation

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — It opened quietly without much fanfare.

But the Wheeling Park Playground is amazingly popular, even before any grand opening can be held.

It was completely renovated from the ground up over the winter.

And now it has reportedly broken an enviable record in the state of West Virginia.

Wheeling Park will be 100 years old next year, and they want it to look its best.

The playground reopened with no fanfare on Memorial Day weekend.

And they discovered a long line of kids–and parents–waiting to get in.

The playground was built in 1948.

So this $1.2 million renovation made a lot of changes.

They believe it’s now the largest, most inclusive playground in the state.

There’s textures, there’s color, there’s activities for movement, there’s different types of swings, so all the different ways we want kids to be outside moving and together we’ve incorporated into the design of this space.”

Eriks E. Janelsins, President & CEO, Oglebay Foundation

They were here starting at 6:30 almost every morning. We have actually a hard time coming down to make sure it’s tidy and everything is safe and clean and ready to go for them every morning. It’s great to see. We’re like OK, come on, we’ll work around you. We don’t want to stop any children from coming out and playing.”

Nat Goudy, Wheeling Park Director

There are two sections, one for two to five-year-olds and one for 5 to 12-year-olds.

This has been years in the planning.

And the support of four different foundations made it possible.

You’ll recognize at least two of those names.

Generous donations from the following groups made this playground renovation possible: The Land and Water Conservation Fund, The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, The Edith L. Trees Charitable Trust, and the Stamp Family.

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