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Wheeling is a special place. Its history, its role in serving as a gateway to America's westward expansion, its Victorian-era architecture, and so much more factor in to making this such a unique spot.
At the top of that list has to sit the city's incredible public parks system. Wheeling Park, nestled in a quiet neighborhood along U.S. 40, is part of a parks system for the people built and maintained by the people that, frankly, is unmatched across the nation.
Wheeling Park today officially marks 100 years of operation. In the past century it truly has grown to become the community's park. It's role in helping to shape Wheeling's identity is impressive.
The park's origins date back to Dec. 24, 1924, when community leaders raised the money needed to save the site from developers. Much work was done from the end of December 1924 through the end of May 1925 to prepare the park for its opening. Consider these excerpts from the May 30, 1925 front page of The Intelligencer:
"Today, a worthy movement started last winter by W.E. Stone, Otto Schenk, and numerous other prominent citizens will culminate in the opening of the city's new recreation park at the rejuvenated site of old Wheeling Park," The Intelligencer stated. "Starting early this morning, the first trek of pleasure seekers in the new municipal park will start. By noon, several hundreds of citizens will be partaking of the extraordinary facilities offered, and the crowd is expected to be doubled (in) the afternoon.
"However, Manager Chris Hartman is anticipating an even larger crowd in the evening, when the huge dance floor in the old Arcade, which has been leased for the season by Mango's orchestra, is thrown open. … Several thousands of citizens are expected to participate in the opening."
As for changes made to the park for its opening, the May 30, 1925 edition of The Intelligencer also sheds light there: "The change (in the new park) is apparent from National Road. The southern extremity of the grounds where the appearance of an old abandoned dilapidated commercialized pleasure resort has been changed to that of a modern, up to date, municipal playground with extensive facilities.
"A similar condition exists throughout the park, perpetuating the idea of beauty, commodity and freedom for the citizens. Several of the old buildings, including the row of concessions and the Casino, have been torn down and their sites beautified. At the same time, several other buildings, including the Arcade, have been left standing. The huge picnic hall … is in good condition, and the two buildings have been left standing upon it."
The park at that time did not include the golf course, the tennis bubble and other features many residents love today. What it did include then and now is a sense of place, a sense the park truly is part of Wheeling's fabric.
How impressive that today, that sense remains. Family gatherings, kids on the playground, outdoor concerts, dances, recreation, weddings or other events, swimming, walks of solitude and so much more -- it's all part of Wheeling Park. We hope you enjoy it.
Today, then, join us in celebrating all the patrons, all the workers, all those that have supported the park financially or as a volunteer over the years and also everyone else involved in helping keep Wheeling Park strong for 100 years. And remember: it's going to take all of us, working together, to ensure Wheeling Park remains strong for the next 100 years.