New state park dedicated in Summersville – WV MetroNews

SUMMERSVILLE, W.Va. — A group of Nicholas County Career and Technical Center students joined Governor Jim Justice Friday to help unveil the sign marking the newest West Virginia State Park at Summersville Lake.

“This park, 177 acres, a mile of lake frontage and all the rock climbing that could ever possibly go on. The development of all kinds of stuff here from splash parks to zip lines, for God sakes a living, it will be unbelievable,” said the Governor during the ceremony.

The first installation made on the property was a sign and one of the new Almost Heaven swings which are growing in number at points of interest across the state. The swings and signs are made by the Nicholas County students.

The new park will be situated along the north shore of the lake and will eventually feature a large number of amenities. The plans call for cabins, campsites, and adventure activities both on the water and on the cliffs above. There are already hiking trails and rock climbing that’s been ongoing for years through a previous lease agreement. The state has also built a new parking lot to get the project started.

“I’ve been a state parks guy for a long time and never in my career did I ever think I would see a new state park,” said West Virginia DNR Director Brett McMillion.

Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said she learned about the property a couple of years ago and immediately went to the Governor with the idea.

“I immediately called the Governor and he was in some very important meeting I interrupted. I said, ‘Governor there’s this piece of property and it needs to be a state park.’ He said, ‘Absolutely it does, get it done.’” said Ruby

As part of Friday’s ceremony Justice signed the legislation to authorize the park’s creation. The legislation was enacted during the special session of the Legislature earlier this week.