DAVIS – We all know that Tucker County Rocks, and that theme was echoed recently when representatives from First Energy met with folks working to create Tucker Boulder Park in Davis to present a check, helping make the park a reality. More than 25 folks gathered to celebrate the donation.
Charles Friddle III and Allen Staggers, First Energy Directors of External Affairs, were on hand to make the $5,000 presentation for the Tucker Boulder Park. The ceremony took place at the site of the Boulder Park, adjacent to the Davis Baseball Field.
“First Energy is certainly happy to be a part of this whole project,” Friddle said. “With the development of the Boulder Park, it will be an important addition to Tucker County, and great for those coming in to visit and those who live here as well. We are pleased to be a part of all that.”
Diane Hinkle, development director for Tucker Community Foundation, said the Tucker Boulder Park would enhance the area.
“The bike trail will go from the Tucker Boulder Park and around the corner and parallel Route 32,” Hinkle stated. “It will cross over Route 93 and eventually connect with the rail trail. So the Tucker Boulder Park is about more than just the boulder park. Getting that connector trail is a very big deal. It came from Western Pocahontas and it is contingent on the completion of this project. Donations to this on the lower level also support and endowment for the Tucker County EMS.”
Hinkle said it is interesting how the project has grown.
“It just started with informal conversations about all of the boulders out on Corridor H,” said Hinkle . “I have seen similar projects. So it was an informal conversation with DNR and DOH representatives, and they liked the idea of a boulder park, and really encouraged us to carry forward with it.
“We had three meetings last summer and invited all of the stake holders, county representatives and land holders and they all turned out,” Hinkle said. “They all turned out when we said, ‘Let’s talk rocks.’ Everybody liked the idea and Western Pocahontas had donated this property to the Town of Davis. It was deeded for recreational purposes only. They came and said we should look at that site, and Western Pocahontas said contingent on completion of the site, they would grant access to the trails.”
Hinkle said the pieces started coming together.
“The Town of Davis got on board – Town Council agreed to maintain and insure the property and agreed to let us use the site,” Hinkle stated. “Everybody has gotten on board. It’s been a fun project to be a part of and it’s exciting to see it build. It will also be a nice visual gateway as you exit the Corridor.”
Additional information about the Tucker Boulder Park is available online at www.tcrocks.org or by calling the Tucker Community Foundation at 304-478-2930.
