Submitted photo The Randolph County Commission and the State Department of Tourism have partnered to put one the state’s Almost Heaven Swings at 4-H Camp Pioneer in Beverly. The handmade swings are scattered across West Virginia at places like Tygart Lake State Park.

ELKINS — Camp Pioneer in Beverly will be the home for one of the state’s Almost Heaven Swings thanks to funding from The Randolph County Commission.

“These are those big wooden swings that you see at the base of the Capital and other places around the state,” Randolph County Commission President David Kesling said. “We are looking at putting one on at the 4-H Camp since the county owns the property there. We are looking at putting it around the pond area.”

The handmade, oversized wooden swings, which are placed throughout West Virginia, are coupled with a scenic backdrop. They are designed to give residents and visitors the opportunity to take picturesque photos of family and friends.

There are currently 36 swings in the state with closest to Randolph County being at Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley Resort State Park, Snowshoe Mountain, Stonewall Resort, Tygart Lake State Park and the Philippi Covered Bridge.

“The cost of the swing is $3,500 and the State Department of Tourism is responsible for half of that,” Kesling said. “They are going to pay $1,750 and with us being a partner we will be responsible for the other 50 percent. The memorandum of understanding basically just says that we can’t alter the swing in any way, we assume liability with the swing, we will maintain the swing, and we take care of its installation.”

The Commission unanimously agreed to fund the swing and the memorandum of understanding. The money will be taken from the hotel-motel tax budget line.

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The Randolph County Commission also unanimously approved a funding request from 4-H Camp Pioneer in the amount of $14,296.90.

The money will be used to replace a walk-in refrigerator at the camp and will be taken from the hotel-motel tax line.

“They have been having trouble with their walk-in up there, I think it’s been repaired several times,” said Commissioner Siler. “So they are requesting funding to replace that walk-in refrigerator. This will help them get ready to open up for 4-H Camp this summer as well as the other things they do during spring, summer, and fall.”