Davis, WV – Davis Town Council members reviewed and approved two bids that will complete Phase I of the Tucker Boulder Park, a collaborative project that has been in the works for three years. The public climbing park will be located beside the Davis Ball Field.
The bid from Sunrise Construction, to install two concrete pads, a handicapped accessible parking area, and tons of rubberized mulch to surround the boulders was unanimously approved. Ground breaking is expected to commence this spring as weather permits.
The bid from Entre-Prises to design, construct and install a 1300 square foot extra-large boulder and a 400 square foot children’s boulder was also approved unanimously with installation expected this summer. Entre-Prises, a world leader in climbing wall projects, is a “design-build firm” insuring that each boulder will be unique and custom designed to reflect local topography. Three boulders are planned for the park.
The Entre-Prises Design Team includes project managers, designers, and an in-house architect that works with a local design team volunteering their time on behalf of the Tucker Boulder Park project. The boulders feature interchangeable holds that allow for creative route setting and adaptive features for challenged climbers.
The public climbing park, designed by Chapman Engineering, is the first of its kind in West Virginia. Instead of the traditional climbing walls seen at many venues, the boulders require no special climbing gear and are engineered for climbers of all ages and abilities.
Lead partners in the project include the Town of Davis, Western Pocahontas, Dominion Foundation, and Tucker Community Foundation. Foundation staff who are securing grant support and leading the fundraising effort said, “To date the project has generated close to $400,000 in grant support and private donations. A fundraising effort is underway to support the purchase and installation of the final, 700 square foot, boulder”.
Another element of the project that appeals to hikers and bikers is the new section of trail connecting Davis to the Allegheny Highland rail-trail project. Funding for the trail is provided by a WV DOT Recreational Trail grant; design by EL Robinson Engineering. Groundbreaking will commence once the Notice to Proceed is issued.
For more information, or to donate to the Boulder Park project, visit www.tcrocks.org, or https://www.facebook.com/tuckerboulderpark/.
