MORGANTOWN – In the corner of White Park stands a slide.
It’s just kind of standing there the way slides do, making a triangle next to a pavilion and some bathrooms.
It’s a sad, little lonely slide to hear members of the Board of Park and Recreation Commissioners tell it.
There was once an old swing set there, too, but it bit the dust.
Not exactly what you’d call a “play area,” at least not by BOPARC’s current standards.
“It just needs a little perking up,” Commissioner Jenny Selin said.
And that’s what’s going to happen.
During BOPARC’s most recent regular meeting, the body approved a $276,948.56 bid from Veritas Contracting to do the job.
“We’re going to be doing a more modern swing set, and replacing that slide with a slide combo and climbing net,” Director Melissa Wiles explained.
Asked why such a project would be so expensive, Wiles said the area needs leveling and drainage improvements. Further, the cost will include a fall zone encompassing the various components.
The board approved a second contract with Laurita Inc. for $130,676 to address drainage issues, replace failing retaining walls and put in a new fall zone at the playground across from Wiles Hill Community Center.
The improvements are the latest in a major sales tax-fueled drive to address the play areas available for children across the park system.
The projects listed above will be added to just under $1 million in playground investments already completed or in process, including the 28-component, multi-section, blue play palace next to the new pool complex in upper Marilla Park.
Once you add in an estimated $500,000 for the upcoming replacement of the playground in 1st Ward’s Jack Roberts Park, the playground investment nears the $2 million mark.
BOPARC President Danielle Trumble explained the funds are coming from a buildup of sales taxes collected by BOPARC over time.
The city’s parks are one of four avenues to which sales tax revenues are evenly split.
Since the tax’s implementation in 2021, BOPARC’s 25% cut totals just over $11.1 million. It received just over $2.5 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30 and carried about $6.1 million in sales tax revenue into the current fiscal year.
In addition to playgrounds, the accumulated sales tax revenue has been used to:
– Support a portion of the renovations to the Morgantown Ice Arena ($1.5 million)
– Establish a capital maintenance savings account ($1 million)
– Replace the roof, siding and windows at Dorsey’s Knob Lodge and improve the building’s interior as well as the grounds and walkways. ($550,000)
– Construct new tennis, pickleball and basketball courts at Krepps Park and make improvements to the park’s ballfields, ancillary buildings and dog park ($500,000)
– Place a new roof on the 115-year old Wiles Hill Community center building and make improvements to the various studios, galleries and spaces throughout ($400,000)
– Create a walking path and improve the basketball court and parking area at Paul Preserve ($150,000)
– Purchase and install a new pool liner, replace the fence and extend the shade area at Krepps Pool ($150,000)
– Replace the benches and make improvements to the basketball courts, steps and landscaping at Jack Roberts Park ($70,000)
Along with all that, BOPARC’s portion of sales tax revenues is being used to support major upgrades like the recently completed Marilla Pool complex and the upcoming reconfiguration of lower Marilla Park. Bond payments on those projects are/will be deducted from BOPARC’s sales tax fund monthly.
“As we move into the new year and start planning for the next fiscal year, we are mindful that our pace will slow as our reserves level off,” Wiles said. “This will give us the time necessary to finish up the projects that we’ve already encumbered and then pause while the reserves rebuild themselves.”
But while BOPARC plans for the future as an organization, Wiles plans for retirement as its director.
Wednesday was her final meeting in the position before she steps away in December and hands the keys over to Greg Travinski.
Trumble said today’s BOPARC is a far cry from what it was when she first joined the board.
“Most of them probably can’t remember when it was just about keeping the wheels on the bus. Like ‘Give me your chewing gum, we’ve got to hold this pipe together.’ And you were great at that. And you’ve continued to be great when we actually had opportunities and the ability to make improvements,” she told Wiles. “You’ve definitely demonstrated your value to the organization, and I’m not sure what we’ll do without you.”
