BUCKHANNON – Spring will bring updates and changes to the City Park on Park Street.
The Consolidated Public Works Board received two event requests at the City Park in the spring, but the board recommended using the North Buckhannon Riverfront Park while construction is underway at the City Park.
Buckhannon Mayor Robbie Skinner and the Consolidated Board discussed the issue at its Jan. 23 meeting.
“We had two Easter egg hunt event requests today, but we are going to start construction at that time in the park with the basketball court area, as well as the pickleball court and paving the road network in the park,” Skinner said. “We just need to be cognizant of event requests for the City Park this spring because we are working on improving the landscape there.”
The Consolidated Board received two Easter Egg Hunt requests – one from the Buckhannon Lions Club for 8 a.m. to noon on March 30 and a second from South Buckhannon Mission Church for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 31.
City Street Department Superintendent Brad Hawkins said he was not sure what would be going on during the two requested days, but he would expect the park to be muddy.
“This spring is the crunch time for our City Park because a lot of work must be done this spring leading up to the May 1 opening of the season,” Skinner said. “Should we suggest an alternative location for this? I would suggest that we communicate to them that we would like to see if [the event organizers could move it to North Buckhannon Park, just for this year, given the upgrades to our City Park.”
“That might be a good idea,” Consolidated Board member and City Councilwoman Pam Bucklew said.
The board voted unanimously to recommend the North Buckhannon Riverfront Park for events taking place in the upcoming spring season after Bucklew made a motion and Consolidated Board member and Councilman Jack Reger seconded it.
“The volunteers have completed the pavilion in that park, except for the handrails,” Hawkins said, referencing progress in the City Park. “They’re waiting on better weather to complete that part, but the new pavilion is almost ready.”
More information about the upcoming park renovations may be found in a previous My Buckhannon story.
Skinner also acknowledged the latest snowfall has caused several potholes to form throughout the city, but remedying the issue now would not make sense.
“We haven’t had this much snow for a while and this much stress on our streets; there’s already several potholes forming of some crater-size around town, so we are aware of it,” Skinner said. “So, for My Buckhannon readers, we are aware of it but we cannot do anything about it until the springtime comes and it makes no sense to do anything about it until it stops snowing.”
“It’s looking like we’re going to have a very busy spring,” the mayor added.
A detailed list of the city’s parks may be found on its website here.
