Oak Hill is ramping up its efforts to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities, with a particular focus on Needleseye Park and other local venues. The city recently sought bids for trail construction at Needleseye Park, aiming to add 7 miles of soft surface trails for hikers, bikers, climbers, bird watchers, and other outdoor enthusiasts .
According to Tyler Bragg, Oak Hill’s GIS director, this project is part of a broader movement towards promoting outdoor activities at the local, state, and national levels . The initiative to expand Needleseye Park dates back to 2017 when the city acquired the nearly 300-acre site .
The Fayette Trail Coalition, collaborating with various organizations, developed a soft surface trails master plan, including Needleseye Park, Wolf Creek Park, Fayette County Park, and Fayetteville Town Park . Abbie Newell, president of the Fayette Trail Coalition, expressed enthusiasm for the progress and emphasized the community’s anticipation of enjoying the new trails .
The planned trail construction at Needleseye will connect to the Rend Trail, offering a vital link to National Park Service property . Additionally, the city has commenced engineering work for a new trailhead, which includes tree clearing and the development of amenities such as restrooms and a pavilion .
Oak Hill’s Parks and Recreation Department is also busy with other projects, including the completion of an 18-hole disc golf course at Needleseye Park and organizing various outdoor events such as hiking activities and a Kids Naturalist Program .
City officials highlighted the collaborative efforts involving multiple stakeholders that made the development of Needleseye Park possible, including significant support from the West Virginia Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund and various local and regional partners . The project is part of a broader initiative to enhance connectivity between local recreational sites and the National Park Service’s offerings in Fayette County .
These efforts reflect a growing trend towards prioritizing outdoor recreation and community engagement in Oak Hill, underscoring the city’s commitment to fostering a vibrant and active lifestyle for its residents and visitors alike.