FAIRMONT, W.Va. — The City of Fairmont continues ongoing efforts to improve the parks and recreation facilities in the city.
Fairmont City Manager Travis Blosser discussed the recent groundbreaking of planned renovations for the now named ‘Rotary Club of Fairmont Mini Park’ on WAJR’s Talk of the Town as part of what will be over $3 million in investments in city park projects. This not only includes the approximately $90,000 in renovations that will take place at what was known as the Morgantown Avenue Mini Park located within East Side Park, but also numerous projects that have taken place over the past year.
“We are continuing our forward momentum in terms of revitalizing all of our municipal parks,” said Blosser. “And one of those in particular is the Morgantown Avenue Mini Park.”
According to Blosser, the now named ‘The Rotary Club of Fairmont Mini Park’ will include new playground equipment, seating areas, and landscaping costs. This comes from a $25,000 contribution from the organization as well as a $70,000 contribution from the City of Fairmont, one of several that were allocated by the city to support similar projects in parks that broke ground in 2024. Much like at the other parks, such as Norwood Park and Windmill Park, the Rotary Club of Fairmont Mini Park’ also supported features like new playsets, water fountains, and an updated security system that would help keep one of the oldest parks in the city in great shape.
“That entire park will get improved,” said Blosser. “There’s some historic play equipment, some concrete play equipment, a dolphin, and a turtle. They’ll be back better than new.”
The contribution of $25,000 by the Rotary Club of Fairmont reflects one of several such contributions that were made by local organizations and businesses. This also includes contributions by Novelis Aluminum to support the construction of Norwood Park, a short walk away from Victory Baptist Church, back in 2024. The hope for Blosser is that similar contributions continue as projects develop in 2025.
“Community members are seeing that the city is invested in it,” said Blosser. “And that’s been leading them to understand that their contribution is going to make a larger dent and an impact because it’s coupled with those city dollars.”
The plan for the City of Fairmont is to continue investments into city parks and recreation facilities and equipment heading into Fiscal Year 2025-26. This would continue one of the major goals established as part of the City of Fairmont’s five-year plan, which is revitalizing Fairmont parks and recreation facilities citywide by the end of 2030. With several projects already in the books, Blosser hopes to see more take shape in the coming months.
“At the end of the fiscal year, we’ll have spent upwards of over $3 million towards municipal park improvements and recreational amenities,” said Blosser. “Our game plan is to more than double that in this next fiscal year,” he said.