3/3/2009
Beech Fork State Park friends and volunteers will “Make It Shine in 2009” on April 5 during the annual volunteer work day held each spring at this popular year-round vacation park. In its eighth year, this weekend warrior opportunity is open to anyone wanting to get outside and assist in a clean-up effort.
“Maintenance is always something that needs to be done regardless if it is a state park or your backyard,” says Matt Yeager, Superintendent at Beech Fork State Park. The clean up concentrates on three areas: roadsides, shoreline, and areas with flood debris. “The number of volunteers has increased each of the eight years Beech Fork has had a clean-up day, from 13 or so the first few years up to 75 recently and with more than six ton of debris, including more than 100 tires, recovered and disposed of properly.”
Beech Fork State Park works with the WV Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) REAP program as one of many Make It Shine events across West Virginia. Make It Shine provides gloves and trash bags for collection. Other business support includes: Pepsi, Gino’s Pizza, Pizza Hut, and Papa Johns supplying sodas and lunch for volunteers. “This event would not be possible without the positive response by individuals and businesses recognizing parks as a valuable asset to our state as public areas for outdoor recreation. “
Involvement in the Beech Fork State Park Make It Shine weekend requires pre-registration, which allows organizers to plan for supplies, beverages, the 1 p.m. lunch, and to determine if volunteers will be camping during the weekend. “Part of our thank-you to volunteers includes waived camping fees for April 4-6 if assisting in the clean up” says Dillard Price, assistant Superintendent. “A registration form is on line at www.beechforksp.com under Spring Clean-up at Beech Fork State Park or by calling the park and asking for a form to be mailed. We use your information strictly for this event and do not sell or share with others. We welcome people on the day of, but for those wanting to take advantage of the free weekend camping offer we do require pre-registration.” Details are included on the form or when calling.
The clean-up day is April 5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Beech Fork State Park is located in the south western section of West Virginia, near Barboursville. Beech Fork is easily accessible from Interstate 64. The park is open year-round and features a 275-site campground, six cabins, outdoor swimming pool, hiking trails and picnic shelters. For more information, call (304) 528-5794 or go online www.beechforksp.com or www.wvstateparks.com.
Beech Fork Location
Beech Fork State Park is located in the south western section of West Virginia, near Barboursville. Beech Fork is easily accessible from Interstate 64:
Using Exit 11: (Hal Greer Blvd. Exit)--Take Rt. 10 south. Continue approximately 4 miles; turn right onto Hughes Branch Road and follow to the end, another 4 miles. Turn left and the park is about 2 miles straight ahead. (30 minutes)
Using Exit 8: (5th Street Exit)--Take Route 152 South for approximately 20 miles. Turn left onto Wilson Creek Road and continue about 8.2 miles until you enter the park. (40 minutes)
Using Exit 15: (29th Street Exit)--Take Route 60 East about 1 mile to Alt. Rt. 10. Take Alt. Rt. 10 South about 3 miles to Route 10 North. Continue on Route 10 North for less than a mile and turn left onto Hughes Branch Road and follow it to the end. Turn left and the park is about 2 miles straight ahead. (20 minutes)
Using Exit 20 (Mall Road Exit)--Take Route 60 West for about 5 miles. Turn left onto Alt. Rt. 10 South and go about 3 miles to Route 10 North. Continue on Route 10 North for less than a mile then turn left onto Hughes Branch Road and follow it to the end. Turn left and the park is about 2 miles straight ahead. (25 minutes)
Contact Information
Matt Yeager or Dillard Price
304-528-5794
mattyeager@wvdnr.gov,
dillardprice@wvdnr.gov