Berkeley County dedicates first ‘legacy’ park benches

MARTINSBURG, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Board members and Berkeley County 250th Commemoration Steering Committee members celebrated the installation of the first “legacy” park benches at two local parks this week.

The project will eventually see eight total “legacy” benches installed in parks across the county, and is one of multiple legacy initiatives of the Berkeley County 250th Commemoration Steering Committee.

“We’re happy to kick it off,” said Joe Burton, Executive Director for the Martinsburg-Berkeley County Parks & Recreation Board.

The installation of the park bench has been made possible by a donation in the amount of $6,250 from the 250th Commemoration Steering Committee to parks & recreation.

One bench has been placed at Poor House Farm Park by Tuscarora Creek by multiple trees recently planted in collaboration with Cacapon Institute and Potomac Valley Audubon Society and other partners.

“It’s a great location. Hopefully a lot of people will enjoy the creek side setting there for years to come,” said Berkeley County 250th Commemoration Steering Committee Chair, Matt Umstead.

Also installed was a bench in the Tomahawk community at Rooney Park overlooking the baseball field.

“We were able to source a bench that is consistent with other benches we have in our parks,” Burton continued. “In fact, we like it so much that we’re going to roll out a program for individuals that want to dedicate a park bench to a loved one, using that same bench and a similar plaque.”