A group of volunteers, including from left, Kevin Betler, Herman Burkey, Ernie Hofer, Mike Heldreth and Al Scalia help put together some of the equipment recently installed at Pickens’ new playground.

PICKENS — Future generations of children will now have somewhere to play after the completion of a brand new playground system at Pickens School.

With the help of local volunteers, businesses, and organizations, the playground became a reality. Although children have already flocked to the site to give each piece of equipment a try, an official ribbon-cutting ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 21 at 3 p.m.

Refreshments and hors d’oeuvres will be provided following the ribbon-cutting event and the school will be open for the public to walk around and see what Pickens School and community is all about.

“I know it sounds cliche that teamwork makes the dream work, but in this case, that is exactly what happened,” said playground project co-director Mark Allen. “My hope is that in a world that has changed so much in my lifetime, that we will get back to our roots and realize the importance of communities and the value of coming together and supporting each other. I hope this may inspire our county to do better, work together, and to see that communities like Pickens truly do matter.”

The Tygarts Valley Lions Club was among the many organizations who supported the project. The club has helped with other playground projects in the area, most recently at George Ward Elementary

Paul Louk Jr., a member of Tygart Valley Lions Club and employee at Newlons International Sales, stands in front of his truck that was used to move some of the new playground equipment in Pickens.

“It’s been enjoyable to be a part of the Tygart Valley Lions Club, the best club in the state, and get to work with such a good group of people that are focused and raising money and doing a project to help out the local community,” said TVLC member Sam Mauzy. “Whenever I’ve asked for help on playground projects, I always get several guys who are happy to volunteer time, skills, and equipment to get the project done. I am very proud to be a member of such a great club.”

Mike Ross and the Randolph County Commission both provided financial support to the project. Back in March of 2024, the Commission provided $25,000 to the project. Swecker Trucking, Meadows Paving, Greenway Excavating, Newlons International Sales, Northwest Hardwoods, GameTime and West Virginia Playground Builders & Resources, the Snowshoe Foundation, Tucker Community Foundation, Rosa L. Stolzenberg, Coat of Arms, Elkins Builders Supply, Leer South Mines and Buckhannon Toyota also contributed to the project.

“Our students and the community are so deserving of a fun and exciting new playground,” said co-director Melody Greenway, who is also the Pickens School secretary. “We wanted to transform our playground into an exciting place to play and a learning environment for our students and community. It is an essential component of every child’s school experience, as I also recall childhood memories on my own school playground. Kids love to play outdoors and especially on a playground like this. This playground is going to build dreams, spark imagination, and foster friendships. We are so thankful for every donation, supporter, and volunteer who made this dream a reality. This project embodies what a community is all about.”

The new playground isn’t just a place for students, however. Over the years the old playground served as a gathering place where neighbors could share meals, celebrate traditions, and support one another through challenges.

“Now that a dream is realized, it is my hope that in a world that has changed so much in my lifetime, that we will get back to our roots and realize the importance of communities and the value of coming together and supporting each other,” said Allen. “This project was hard work, a lot of effort, and even had some obstacles along the way.”

Hattie Hurst climbs on a new attraction that is part of the new playground recently opened at Pickens School.

Pickens High School students Layla Wooten and Parker Curry swing on a new piece of equipment at Pickens’ new playground located at the school.