About

Doddridge County Park, located in West Union, West Virginia, is a non-profit county-operated park system with the purpose to provide outdoor use and recreation. The park was established in 1972 when 57 acres of land were purchased from the Starr Family. The Starr’s had used it for farming and at one point a fully functioning dairy farm with contract with Carnation to supply milk.

The Park is a unique collaboration between the Doddridge County Parks & Recreation Commission and the Doddridge County 4-H. The 4-H Camp was located in Smithburg but was purchased by the Department of Highways in the late 1960’s. The Camp was located in the way of the development of US Route 50. Since the DCPRC was looking for land to establish a county park and the 4-H was looking to reestablish a camp the two groups joined together to purchase the land and develop a park/4-H camp.

Initial purchase came from monies from the 4-H Camp Sale and a gift from the Doddridge County Commission. The Park Commissioners initially worked on building a banquet hall, pool, shelters and sports courts. The Main Building was opened in 1974 and then expanded in 1984. The Pool opened in 1978. A portion of the funds for the development came from a Land and Water Conservation Grant.

A county levy was established and passed by the citizens to provide revenue to the Park, 4-H, the Library and the Health Department. Initially it also funded the Senior Citizens Organization but they dropped from the levy after a few. The levy provided some needed monies for annual operations but little for maintenance and upkeep.

Through the last half of the 70’s and all thru the 80’s the Park Commission concentrated on operations and some development. A large 4-H Barn complex was added to accommodate 4-H activities such as the annual livestock sale. A stage was added to allow for concerts and to handle the continuing growth of the Doddridge County Fair that relocated to the Park in 1976.

Along with the collaborations with the 4-H and County Fair, the Park worked closely with the Board of Education. From the late 70’s an into the 90’s the Park hosted the high school Baseball team, the girls softball team and the school cross country teams. The Park still is the home for Cross Country and annually hosts meets for both Middle School and High School that bring hundreds of runners to the Park.

Due to tremendous budget constraints the Park, while busy, fell into disrepair in the late 90’s thru 2010. Around 2010 the Marcellus/Utica gas shale was beginning to be developed and that quickly increased the county’s property tax revenue and had a positive impact on the Park / 4-H operating Levy. This increase in Levy proceeds, as well as general county revenue, allowed the Park to begin a period of repair and renovations that is still continuing.

In 2012 a generous family, owners of Cochran, donated 179 acres of land that bordered the park to the DCPRC. This land donation took the parks acreage to over 230 acres and spurred the Park Commissioners to begin making a master plan for the entire Park. The plan was finished and adopted in 2014 and included the building of an RV Park, trails, archery range cabins, disc golf course, amphitheater, and the renovation of the historical area of the park which included the Main Building and the Pool. Beginning in 2015 a bridge was built to connect both areas of the park. The bridge opened in September 2015.

After access to the property was secured, planning started on campground development. A Land and Water Conservation Grant was submitted and awarded for $196,000 to help with trails and camping development. After a design, bid and construction period the Lone Pine Campground opened in April 2019 with 24 RV slips, three yurts and both primitive tent sites and sites with electric and water. Over six miles of hiking trails were installed in 2020.

In 2020 an extensive expansion of the 43-year-old pool was begun. Phase one included building a new concession building, park restrooms, new kiddie pool and a Splash Pad. Phase two, beginning in September 2022, will concentrate on upgrading the main body of water of the pool and the bathhouse area.

The Doddridge County Park has been an integral park of the community for 50 years, 1972 – 2022, and will continue to develop and serve all guests that visit. Whether you are hiking, picnicking, swimming or camping, the Doddridge County Park can help relax and Live Life Outdoors!