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Tomlinson Run State Park facilities get an upgrade

UNVEILING — Hancock County officials were joined by representatives of the state Department of Natural Resources and other guests, Wednesday, to unveil the recently completed shower house facility at the group camp area of Tomlinson Run State Park. -- Craig Howell

NEW MANCHESTER — Some of the facilities at the Northern Panhandle’s lone state park have received an upgrade.

Hancock County officials were joined by representatives of the state Department of Natural Resources and others Wednesday while unveiling a series of improvements at Tomlinson Run State Park, along with announcing plans for other future projects.

The focal point of Wednesday’s announcement was a ribbon cutting for a new shower facility located within the park’s group camp area.

County Commissioner Joe Barnabei explained officials knew the old bath house which had been available for the camp needed to be replaced, and began reaching out to DNR officials.

The county agreed to provide $200,000 toward the project, with the state throwing in between $600,000 and $800,000 to assist. Local funds were provided by hotel-motel tax revenue, which, by law, must be spent on recreation and tourism.

“It was a well-rounded job by everyone involved,” Barnabei said.

According to Brad Reed, chief of the parks and recreation section of WVDNR, funds remaining after the shower house was completed have been focused on renovations to the kitchen in the camp’s mess hall, upgrades to the cabins, improvements to utilities and installing Wi-Fi to the camp.

Reed also announced plans for improvements to the roof of the park’s pool, as well as a new slide for the pool.

“It’s just a great commitment,” Reed said, citing the project as an example of how a partnership can work for the benefit of West Virginia residents. “I’m just overwhelmed.”

Commissioners also thanked Del. Randy Swartzmiller, D-Hancock, who they said was involved in the project negotiations.

Carole Scheerbaum, Hancock County agent for the West Virginia University Extension, expressed her appreciation for the improvements.

The WVU Extension oversees 4-H chapters, and Tomlinson Run is used each summer for a week-long camp for Hancock County youth participating in the program.

“This is a dream,” Scheerbaum said. “I can’t wait to come back to camp.”

Officials said the 4-H camp is expected to be the first event to be able to use the new shower house.

Trushel Construction performed the work on the shower house.

Discussions for the projects began approximately three years ago, and were publicly announced by county commissioners in March 2019.

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