WEIRTON – The future of Weirton’s skate park is in question as city parks officials are considering both the safety of the existing equipment and the cost of maintaining it.

“It’s beyond its useful life,” noted Weirton Parks Director Coty Shingle during the regular meeting of the Weirton Board of Parks and Recreation Thursday morning. “It’s in a state of disrepair.”

Shingle also expressed concern about the impact of what he referred to as “late-night visitors” who he said have damaged the park over the years.

The Weirton Skate Park, located in a corner of the parking lot for Weirton Municipal Plaza adjacent to Edwin J. Bowman Field, was constructed in 2009, with funds provided through private donations, the Hancock County Commission, state legislators and other sources.

It includes a halfpipe, a quarter pipe, as well as a ramp and a funbox – a combination ramp, bank and rail in a box shape with a flat top.

The park hasn’t been without controversy, though.

The idea came about during the administration of former mayor Mark Harris, who was indicted in 2013 for allegedly misusing some of the funds raised for the park. Those charges were later dropped in exchange for an agreement that Harris paid back the funds.

At various times, in the years since, there also have been debates as to whether the Park Board itself or the City of Weirton municipal government was tasked with its upkeep.

Shingle, along with Ward 4 Councilman Rick Stead, initially expressed concern about keeping the park, saying they didn’t see it receiving much use.

Other members of the board, though, said they not only see it being used, but expressed positive experiences, recommending the board seek price estimates for both rebuilding the park as well as insurance coverage.

Anthony Capp noted he has taken his young son to the park to learn skating skills and has been welcomed by the older individuals there who, he said, often provide his son with lessons.

“The people have been very good to my son,” Capp said. “There are definitely people who use it for its intended purpose.”

Board member Bill Curenton said he, too, will see people use the park at various times of day as he is coming and going from the Millsop Community Center, or driving through the area.

“I see a lot of use down there,” Curenton said.

Shingle said if the board wants to see it preserved, he will work toward the goal, but warned it will come at an expense

“If you want to do it right, it would be a significant cost,” Shingle said, adding the equipment currently there was not built to be permanent fixtures.

Capp agreed a better-quality park is needed, saying the focus should be on whether to upgrade the existing equipment where it is, or perhaps consider a more permanent setup at possibly a different location.

He also noted there are grants available which could assist in covering the costs.

“I don’t think it has to be anything crazy,” he said, adding it’s possible for the board to pool together resources from the city, the community and outside organizations.

It wouldn’t be the first time members of the community have shown support for the park.

In 2022, a group of residents volunteered their time in an effort to renovate and clean the park with support from a grant from the Brooke-Hancock Family Resource Network.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com)