Pocahontas State Park Re-opens for Memorial Day

Hillsboro, WV – A beloved Pocahontas County state park is reopening. Beartown State Park, located in southern Pocahontas near the county border with Greenbrier, is noted for its sandstone rock formations and quiet serenity. Major repairs and renovations have kept the day use only park closed for several months.

The park was closed down in order to remove Hemlock trees damaged by Woody Adelgid infestation. Beartown Superintendent Mike Smith says there are still some Hemlocks remaining, but removing the diseased trees has allowed a new forest of Black Birch to spring up now that more sunlight is reaching the previously shaded forest floor.

Repairs have also been made to the half-mile boardwalk, partly damaged due to the tree felling operations. Other parts of the walkway have been replaced due to the normal wear and tear of exposure to the elements over the years. Nearly 400 feet of new boardwalk has been constructed of rough-sawn, specially treated pine lumber.

Other projects completed include landscaping work to redirect storm drainage, rebuilding the badly eroded entry path, some minor painting and replacement of weathered interpretive signage. Additional signage improvements are planned for later this year.

Smith says the work has been very time consuming, as all the materials had to be moved manually by a very limited work force. He says he appreciates the patience of visitors who’ve been unable to access the park during this repair and construction phase.

Beartown State Park is open on a daily basis from daylight to dark throughout the spring, summer and fall. And like most West Virginia state parks, no admission fee is charged.

For more information about Beartown State Park, visit www.beartownstatepark.com or contact Park Superintendent Mike Smith at 304-653-4254.