PUTNAM COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - Putnam County Parks and Recreation officials voted Thursday evening to keep Mitchell’s Grove Park open for another year.

That came as welcome news for many community members.

WSAZ’s Addie Smith spoke with some of them earlier about their beloved park, which is situated between state Route 62 and the Kanawha River.

It holds special memories for the community of Hometown, including Darren Persinger who grew up there.

“The park was linked to the coal mines, local coal mines and a place for the miners to come and have their picnics, family reunions, and company picnics, and even church picnics,” Persinger said. “When I was a boy, we enjoyed our church picnics here, and it brings back fond memories to me as I reflect on those things.”

The park director for Put

See Full Page