12/15/2011
GRAFTON, W.Va. –
Tygart Lake State Park lodge and restaurant will no longer close during the winter and
now will be a year-round operation. According to Paul Redford, a district administrator with the West Virginia State Parks system, the decision to keep the lodge and restaurant open at Tygart Lake is due to not only the popularity of the park restaurant operated by the
Boston Beanery, but also because of the number of calls requesting rooms during the time it has been historically closed for the season.
“The restaurant’s success, as well as business we’ve turned away, warrants a two-year assessment for year-round operation,” Redford explained. “We think the positives far out-weigh any challenges that would arise with keeping the lodge open during the winter months. We’ll reassess the success of year-round operations in 2014. Beginning January 1, this will be the first time in memory that Tygart Lake Lodge and restaurant will be open for business winter and year-round. The park’s cabins and campground are open from mid-April and closed during the winter months.”
The Boston Beanery became the food service managers at Tygart Lake State Park Lodge in 2010. Featuring a wide variety of menu options not readily available in the Grafton area, the parking lot quickly yielded to an overflow parking situation that resulted in some unexpectedly positive growing-pains. Restaurant managers are not surprised at the immediate success. “We offer good food, great selections and a lake view that can’t be beat in our area,” said Ken Cole, CEO of the Boston Hospitality Group. They operate a number of restaurants under the name Boston Beanery in West Virginia as well as in Pennsylvania and Virginia.
A variety of winter activities and events are already planned.
A New Year’s Eve Dinner/Dance December 31, 2011; and a February 11
Valentine Dinner/Dance both offer overnight packages. A
Valentine Dinner and Evening is planned for February 14, 2012.
To learn more about Tygart Lake State Park or overnight lodge reservations, meeting or restaurant information, visit
http://www.tygartlake.com/ or call 304-265-6144.
Contact Information
Ken Caplinger, Chief; Paul Redford, District Administrator or Brennon O’Sullivan, Supt.
304-558-1764 or 304-265-6144
dnr.parks@wv.gov or
tygartlakeinfo@wv.gov