The students picked up trash, pulled weeds and cleaned playground equipment in an effort to help Grand Vue workers get the park ready for the kickoff of summer.

Afterward, they ate lunch and got the chance to swim in the park’s heated aquatic center and use other amenities.

The students invited to do the work all have good grades and high marks for good behavior as well.

“Today’s one of those days we get to see the partnership in Marshall County,” said General Manager Craig White. “It helps us out tremendously. … Personally, I think this is a way to help teach the kids to respect nature, to respect parks, all of our parks, not just Grand Vue. Then, three years down the road some of the kids might be working here.”

(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Moundsville Middle School students Kinlee Ragland, left, Olivia Ruthers and Rylee Wethman pose in front of the miniature golf waterfall while helping clean up Grand Vue Park on Monday.

White said he hopes students who haven’t visited before will come back again with their parents.

“Today is a great day. After all their work they get to play. We have the pool open for them. We’re ready to roll for the season and these guys are a big part of that,” White said. “The water temperature is like 82 degrees right now so they’ll have a good time.”

White noted the aquatic center is slated to open to the public Saturday for Memorial Day weekend.

Student Maylee Bartsch was enjoying her time helping out at the park.

“I think it’s really helpful. Grand Vue already keeps it really nice up here so we don’t have to do that much,” she said. “It’s also very pretty; it’s a nice scene.”

(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Moundsville Middle School students, clockwise from left, Autumn Plant, Melody Blum, Raigyn Herrnberger, Jeremy Croxton, Jackie Rodgers and Kinley Turkley, pause while helping pick weeds at the miniature golf course at Grand Vue Park on Monday.

Bartsch said her favorite feature of the park is the swings.

“I like pushing my little sister on them,” she added.

Bartsch, a sixth grader, said her favorite subject in school is math. She already has ideas about her life as an adult.

“I would like to own a small business and be a florist,” she said.

MMS teacher Tabetha Morgan said she started the program with Grand Vue to help build community service.

“They’re weeding out the mini-golf course. They’re picking up sticks and debris. We have kids who are at the office area cleaning out bird feeders and picking up trash there,” Morgan said. “We have kids picking up trash in the bingo hall area where the pool is. We have kids cleaning up around the cabin areas, weeding and stacking wood.”

Students also were in the shelter areas to pull staples where people had used them to put up party decorations. They also wiped down all the playground equipment, benches and signs.

“They’ve been working really diligently,” she said. “It’s really important for students to learn they can positively impact their community, how to work positively within the community and the amenities our community provides to them.”