By Dave Snyder
The Parsons Advocate
A huge crowd watched as WWII veteran and Thomas resident, Vince DiBacco cut the ribbon at the opening ceremony at Tucker Boulder park.
The public climbing park is suitable for all ages and skill sets which was witnessed on opening day as many enjoyed climbing the boulders including Davis Mayor, Joe Drenning. Adding to the festivities was live music preformed for atop one of the boulders.
The Tucker Boulder Park website provided the following information, “Many ask how Corridor H highway construction led to a Tucker County boulder park project, abike trail and an endowed fund in support of EMS.
Huge rocks unearthed by construction of a four lane highway entering in to the small mountain town of Davis, West Virginia, as well as similar projects in other states, seeded an idea that gained momentum after informal conversations with a variety of residents, visitors, and property owners.
In the summer of 2013, an opportunity presented itself when a potential site became available. The staff of Tucker Community Foundation introduced the project to representatives from county boards, organizations and other interested parties to determine the worthiness and viability of the project.
At the conclusion of three, well-attended community meetings, it was agreed the boulder project should be pursued. The Town of Davis stepped up, offering a parcel of land in the southeast corner of the Davis Ball Park. Western Pocahontas Properties, owners of property connecting the boulder park with another trail system, agreed, contingent upon completion of the Boulder Park, to allow a new section of non-motorized trail connecting the Boulder Park, across Rt. 93 to the proposed Rail to Trail project. The WV Division of Highways approved signage for the new section of trail, andHeart of the Highlands agreed to support the trail construction through a donation of materials. Tucker Community Foundation agreed to seek and administer grant support and facilitate an ongoing fundraising campaign.
As a philanthropic organization, Tucker Community Foundation is using the community enhancement project to also build support for Tucker County Emergency Medical Services, an organization that will be directly impacted by the arrival of Corridor H. Donors to the project have the option to dedicate a portion of their contribution to establish an endowed fund supporting Tucker County EMS. Dominion Foundation, the first donor to the Boulder Park project, designated a portion of their $25,000 donation to establish an the fund. By the end of 2014, the fund exceeded $14,000.”
Boulders at the park are manufactured and designed to engage in bouldering – a form of rock climbing that is performed on large boulders without the use of ropes and harnesses. While this can be done without equipment, most climbers use climbing shoes to secure footholds, chalk to keep their hands dry and bouldering mats to prevent injuries from falls.
Rob Burns, Executive Director of the Tucker Community Foundation said, “We would like to thank the Dominion Foundation for launching the fundraising drive. In 2014, their donation of twenty-five thousand dollars has helped to leverage more than three hundred seventy-five thousand dollars in additional grant and donor support. In addition, a portion of that initial donation created an endowment to provide support for the Tucker County EMS.”
Tina Lipscomb, David City Council member and Davis Parks and Recreation Commission Treasurer, said “Today we are celebrating a new and most unique park to our county. It is a different type of recreational activity – the only one of its kind on the East Coast.”
Larry Armbruester, President of the Tucker County Ambulance Authority, expressed his appreciation for endowment money that came to the EMS through this project. Armbruester said, “Among the things we would like to see are two stations staffed twenty four hours seven days a week and the purchase of new cardiac monitors.”
Burns noted that the project is not completely finished. A third boulder, costing approximately eighty thousand dollars, is to be added. Also a trail head for the Allegheny Highlands Trail will be constructed near the highway.
DiBacco said he was honored to cut the ribbon. DiBacco has been a supporter of the Boulder Park since the idea was first announced. He said, “I think this boulder park is unique. It will be enjoyed by many – especially the children.”
The Town of Davis owns and operates the boulder park. The Town of Davis and the Tucker Community Foundation are largely responsible for completion of the project. The Dominion Foundation and Western Pocahontas Properties, LLC also collaborated to make this possible.
The boulder park project has been four years in the making. There will be plates made to recognize all who donated to the project.
The park is located in Davis, close to the Corridor H exit and visible from Rt. 32.
