The park also offers public swimming in an Olympic size pool and a toddlers' pool. The pools are open 7 days a week during the summer season. A softball field and basketball court are available behind the canteen. A tennis court, volleyball nets, and horseshoe pits are also available throughout the park. The canteen offer various types of soft drinks and water as well as snacks and ice cream.

    Two short walking trails are cleared and marked for easy access. A longer hiking trail is being upgraded to include interpretive signs which will direct the visitor's attention to the many varieties of plants and trees which abound within the park.

    Only a portion of the park is handicap accessible at this time. The new park office has a handicap parking space in front for office visitors. The swimming pools are accessible via a wooden and concrete ramp into the bathhouse facilities. The shelters have been designed to be accessible to wheelchairs and throughout the park there are picnic tables which have been specially designed to be wheelchair compatible.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

    The Fayette County Park's origin lies in a land grant from 1925 for 30 acres of land from Loup Creek Collieries, Inc. This grant was originally given to the Fayette County 4-H Club for a camp. During that summer the mess hall, kitchen, and well were constructed. From the beginning development of the park rested upon the shoulders of many donors who eventually turned a dream into a reality. By 1934 the camp property consisted of not only the mess hall, kitchen, and well but also a three room caretaker's house, nine cabins, a partially completed playing field, a shallow well with hand pump and a Delco Light Plant. By 1936 a 40 X 60 recreation hall, three swimming pools, and a bathhouse had been added.

    In 1954 ownership of the park was passed into the hands of the Fayette County Commission from the original owners. It was in 1955 that the Commission employed an in residence year round park superintendent. Prior to this time a WV University 4-H Extension Service Agent resided in the park only when it was in use by the public.

    In 1981 the swimming pools were replaced with an Olympic size pool and a toddlers' wading pool. A new filtering plant was built and the bath-house renovated.

    Since 1955 there has been a succession of Park Superintendents who have brought with them a desire, ability, and determination to see the park grow and become a recreational center. An outdoor stage, four new picnic shelters, and a park office have been added to the grounds.

    The existing 6 cabins at this time are rented only to churches and non-profit organizations for summer camps.

    A mandatory 10 mph speed limit is strictly enforced throughout the entire park. Absolutely no alcoholic beverages are permitted on park grounds. Pets of any type are strictly forbidden within the park. The park superintendent has full authority within the park at all times.

    Summer hours are from 8:00 am until 9:00 pm

    The park is owned and operated by the Fayette County Commissioners, Gene Carte, John H. Lopez, John L. Witt, Charlotte Holly, County Administrator; and Earl S. Pauley, Jr., Park Superintendent.

DIRECTIONS TO THE FAYETTE COUNTY PARK

    The park lies on Laurel Creek approximately 2-1/2 miles above Beckwith, WV. From Rt. 19 at the Fayetteville intersection, travelers need to take Rt. 16 N toward Beckwith and Gauley Bridge. It is 4-1/2 miles form the intersection to a left turn off Rt. 16 N, onto a two lane road which is marked as Fayette County Park Road. It is then approximately 1-1/2 miles to the welcome sign for the Park road enterance.

©2002 Fayette County Park
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