Susan Hardesty, chair of the West Virginia University Mountaineer Parents Club, recently agreed to serve on the Mylan Park Board as the liaison with the University.
MylanPark was founded by the Monongalia County Schools Foundation Inc., a non-profit, 501�3 legal entity, in 1999. The original site known as Chaplin Hill Recreational Complex was renamed MylanPark on June 22, 2002. Initially formed to support the sports facility needs of the areas high school programs, MCSF now does business as MylanPark with a much broader mission and more diversified focus.
The overall mission includes meeting the educational, recreational, social service and cultural community needs. There are currently 15 projects proposed as part of the expanded mission, including seven fields for soccer, football and lacrosse due to be completed in spring 2003; a special field, known as Miracle Field, for adults with physical and mental disabilities; a cross country course; and a horse park, which will host equine competitions.
Not only has the mission expanded, but so has the park itself.
“The opening day pitch in spring 2000 was on 30.5 acres of Anker Energys donated reclaimed surface mine land,”said Laurie Berkow, executive director, Mylan Park.”We now have 320-plus acres available to help us meet the needs of the community.
“Volunteer leadership from WVU has provided guidance in the development of MylanPark since its inception,”Berkow continued.”Current Board members include former President Neil Bucklew, forensics identification program Director Mike Yura, Foundation executive Craig Walker, past Foundation President Jim Robinson and former coach Don Nehlen, all of whom have a current or past WVU affiliation. There are also other committee members from the University.”
Hardesty said Mylan Park and WVU have already worked together on a number of events.
“I want to thank the many WVU employees and students who have worked to make the park happen,”she said.”I was pleased to be invited to work with this important project that will benefit so many in our community. I hope that my background in special education and my awareness of the many services offered by West Virginia University will enable me to contribute to the continued growth and success of Mylan Park.”
Some recent events and affiliations include:
Last years SAE East Coast Mini Baja exhibition was held at Mylan Park. The three-day event drew 52 colleges and universities to the area. Approximately 500 college students from the eastern United States, Canada and Mexico attended the all-terrain vehicle competition, which was hosted by WVU for the fourth time.
Area cross-country coaches, lead by WVU coach Jeff Huntoon, designed the new cross-country course in Mylan Park. WVU runners, as well as area high school and middle school children, will use this course as their home course for training purposes and meets. Mylan Park received thousands of pounds of lime, grass seed and fertilizer from WVU for the course.
A WVU rugby tournament was held last spring with another one slated for fall 2003. This university club sport hopes to be regular users of the lower field complex once it is completed this spring.
The special celebratory social event naming MylanPark and recognizing Milan Puskar and Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc. was held in the MilanPuskarCenter and was catered by the Mountainlair.
WVU Rocket Club utilizes Mylan Park lower field area for launching.
WVU women’s softball team is utilizing Anker Fields in Mylan Park as home field.
The WVU Bureau of Business and Economic Research was contracted to perform an in-depth economic impact study on MylanParks proposed horse park facility.
Alpha Omega Pi sorority sponsored a very successful fraternity softball tournament using Anker Fields in Mylan Park for philanthropic benefit.
Since the beginning of MylanPark, WVU s Grounds Maintenance Department has provided advice and counsel on proper field upkeep and maintenance.
Three WVU football players were employed in summer 2002 for field upkeep. A masters accounting student is currently serving as executive assistant performing a wide cross-section of accounting, administrative and operational duties.
MylanPark partnered with WVU to host the softball competition portion of the State Special Olympics for the past two years.
Two WVU interns have worked at MylanPark in the past year with one slated to begin this fall.
The director of WVU s Native American Studies group has provided information about a potential Native American family burial site in MylanPark.
WVU School of Dentistry utilized Anker Fields in Mylan Park for its annual picnic.
Classes from several WVU departments have gone to Mylan Park on field trips to learn about subject matter ranging from recreation to wildlife management to environmental science.