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East Wheeling Field to Open for Community

WHEELING — In response to complaints that residents often can’t access the J.B. Chambers Recreation Park in East Wheeling, city officials are scheduling time for the facility to open for public use.

The field will be available to anyone who wants to use it from 5-8 p.m. Saturday. According to Gene Ammirante, recreation programs specialist, the department will make public access a weekly occurrence at the field, although he said times will vary based on prior reservations at the facility.

Some in the community voiced concern about the field’s adherence to a schedule, shutting out neighborhood youth in favor of school sports teams and regional organizations. During an August city council meeting, City Manager Robert Herron acknowledged the situation and said the city would make the effort to increase access to the field for all residents.

Scott Smith, supervisor of the J.B. Chambers Recreation Park, said children who plan to use the field Saturday should have an adult with them to supervise activity, as this is in accordance with the rules of the facility. He said this is to ensure the field is properly utilized and does not sustain damage.

According to Smith, the field experienced random acts of vandalism in its past, prompting the requirement of supervision when it is in use. He said the city has not designated anyone to provide this Saturday evening.

Other rules pertaining to the facility include the prohibition of soft and sports drinks.

Matt Peoples of East Wheeling’s House of Hagar, a Catholic Worker house, said he’s heard others’ concerns about the field, but said he’s personally never experienced much of an issue. He said he and a few of the neighborhood kids he works with at the house have used it for soccer and kickball, and said he found the facility accommodating, so long as no one else was using it. He said upon request, Smith will unlock the gate and allow entrance.

Smith added that as long as it isn’t occupied, and the intended use of the field is a responsible one, it is always open and always has been.

He said he’s only a phone call away at 304-780-1240.

Still, Peoples said he’s glad the city wants to make it more accessible.

“I get that a lot of money went into it, but it’s one of the few things in East Wheeling kids can enjoy safely,” he said.

The J.B. Chambers Recreation Park, which opened in summer 2014, cost about $3.3 million from property acquisition to completion, including about $2 million in public funding and almost $1.3 million in private donations.

The city obtained several of the parcels on the block where the park is now located through eminent domain in 2012.

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