WVDEP’s REAP to be Honored at New Rail Trail Facility

 

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (Sept. 10, 2018) – The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s (WVDEP) Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP) will be honored by the Mon River Trails Conservancy and Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission (PCPaRC) as one of the donors for the new Masontown Trailhead restroom facilities at the ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday, Sept. 12 in Masontown. The event is free and open to the public and will take place at 221 Monkey Row at 6 p.m. 

The Elkins Coal and Coke Building, built in 1907, will now serve as restrooms for the Deckers Creek Rail-Trail and West Virginia By-Way Old Route 7. It is the first public restroom facility serving the 19.5-mile trail that extends from the outskirts of Reedsville to Morgantown where it connects to the 29-mile Mon River Rail-Trail. In 2011, this building was placed on the Endangered Properties List by the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia. On Wednesday, the property will be delisted as having achieved restoration and a new purpose for the community and the region.

REAP worked in conjunction with PCPaRC to clean up the building and surrounding property and provided a dumpster and haul away of all trash and tires. In addition to the restrooms, the trailhead has been improved with a drinking fountain, vending machines, improved parking, and new trailhead signs. 

A framed display recognizing the donors to the project will hang on a wall inside the restored building. Contributors include the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program, the West Virginia Department of Transportation - Division of Highways, the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia, Masontown Town Council, the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust, the estate of Deborah Fast, and the Governor’s Community Participation Grant program. The design and inspection work was completed by Alpha Associates, and the restoration work on the building and landscaping was completed by Veritas Contracting.

Contact:

Jake Glance
(304) 926-0499 ext. 1335
Jacob.P.Glance@wv.gov