KINGWOOD — Making Kingwood parks a priority was among the discussions at this week’s city council meeting.
Mayor Jean Guillot said some of the town’s parks are in need of improvement and council should look at sprucing up Brown’s Park and replacing the castle.
“We’re making some improvements,” he said, referring to the splash pad and other work being done at the pool. “But we need to make our parks a priority.”
Guillot said Robbie Baylor, executive director of the Preston County Economic Development Authority (PCEDA), is working on a grant, with the hope being the grant money will also be used for improvements at Brown’s Park.
Councilwoman Karen Kurilko said she would like to get a big screen and do drive-in movies at the Craig Civic Center. She said a concession stand could be set up and the proceeds go the parks and recreation.
“Whatever you use would have to be weather-resistant,” Guillot said.
No action was taken.
Kurilko said the veteran’s plaza will be done in two phases. She said the first phase could be completed as early as June.
It will consist of a brick walkway Vietnam Veterans Chapter 977 is putting in place from the sidewalk to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial. The bricks will contain the name, branch of service and the war the veteran served in.
The three-piece Vietnam Veteran’s marble memorial is 102 inches long and 14 inches wide. It cost $19,705, with an additional $3,500 for delivery and set-up. It weighs 4,899 pounds, was dedicated and turned over to the county on Memorial Day 2021.
Kurilko said the second phase will cost $170,000. She said instead of different monuments, five pillars representing each branch of the military will be placed on the lawn.
“The bell will be moved down and there will be benches,” she said. “It will be very respectful.”
Kurilko said no date has been set for the completion of the second phase.
In other business, Guillot said he would like to return to live meetings.
“We had 400-plus paying attention to our meetings when they were live. I’d like to be live again so people can see what’s going on in town,” he said.
No action was taken.
The next meeting of Kingwood City Council will be 7 p.m. April 28.
TWEET @DominionPostWV
