Crews break ground on universally accessible park in Fairmont

FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) — Norwood Park officially broke ground in Fairmont on Thursday, a project that Planning and Development Director Shae Strait believes will be “the first of its kind” in West Virginia.

The park will be located next door to Victory Baptist Church and will be universally accessible, including a parking lot that will be able to accommodate larger vehicles, according to Strait.

Strait said that the playground will be tiered and will have “elementary-level” play equipment and a natural play area in the front, a more intermediate play area in the middle and an advanced area in the back which will include equipment like zip lines and swings.

“So there’s active places with equipment that’s adapted for individuals with all kinds of abilities and disabilities,” District 6 Councilmember Gia Deasy said. “But then there’s also areas that are more quiet, where you can kind of pull yourself back together if you’re overexcited, overstimulated, whatever. So that balance is beautiful.”

Strait added that there will also be features that are sound or texture-oriented for children’s different needs, as well as a quiet space in the very back of the park. Deasy described the project as “an opportunity for all our children to play together, that’s the biggest deal.”

Deasy told 12 News that she was previously the Director of Special Education in Marion County for over 25 years. “So inclusion is always a big deal for us, but to have an inclusive opportunity to play, not just in the classroom but to have fun, that’s the biggest piece of this park for our town.”

The park will amount to a total of 1.2 acres, thanks to a land donation from Novelis Aluminum which Strait said has helped more than double the current area of the park. According to Strait, EPA assessment money, TIF money, general fund dollars, American Rescue Plan funding as well as donations from Fairmont Federal Credit Union and Novelis helped to fund this project.

“A project like this becomes a reality because people get involved, because they get engaged and they care,” said Strait. “This all started with one idea at one meeting, and somebody just said ‘what if we did a [universally accessible] park’ and it transformed into a $2.5 million project.”

According to Deasy, it’s not uncommon for a park to cost that much, and said that the price is the investment needed “in order to have the kind of inclusive park that everyone can enjoy.” She added that the best part about the park is that all of the equipment will be side-by-side so that all types of children are able to play together.

“So equipment for the typical developing child right alongside the child that might need an adaptation, that’s the best feature I think of the playground,” she added. “So it is truly for everyone. Whether you’re a grandparent bringing a typical child out, or a busy parents with children that are both typical and atypical. This park will be inclusive for all generations and for all types of developmental levels.”

The park is expected to be officially completed by July 2025.

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