HINTON, WV (WVNS) -- Batteau Beach at Hinton Landing is officially open to the public!

The sparkling water of the New River, a soft sandy beach, a playground for children and plenty of seating for family picnics.

Batteau Beach paints a beautiful picture in the southern end of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in Hinton.

Larry Meador, a former Hinton city councilman, said he's proud that the park has finally been completed.

"Oh, this is just an absolutely wonderful day. It's been a lot of planning, a lot of thinking about how to do this, how to lay it out, how it would serve our citizens, especially our children, and it's just absolutely wonderful that it's turned out the way it has." said Meador.

Meador said it's been over 20 years since the idea of Batteau Beach was proposed

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