Parks and Recreation
Summers County Parks & Recreation
Camp Summers
Camp Summers sits on 55 acres of beautiful mountain scenery and is situated in one of the most scenic valleys in the New River Gorge region. The camp offers a variety of amenities to accommodate groups of all sizes and is a great spot to host organized camps, family reunions, weddings, pool parties, and more! There are prime dates available for rental. Please feel free to contact our Camp Summers Director to answer any questions by phone (304) 673-9658, email campsummerswv@summerscountywv.gov or visit our website at www.campsummerswv.com
John Henry Historical Park
John Henry Historical Park is a family oriented venue located in the sleepy village of Talcott, West Virginia, where the legendary contest between man and machine took place during the construction of the Great Bend Tunnel. Throughout the park, you will find educational kiosks where you can relive the story of the contest, construction of the Tunnel as well as local history! Amenities include a picnic shelter and walking trails. In addition, the John Henry Days Committee coordinates a celebration of the event during the 2nd weekend of July. The event features live music, fireworks, vendors, and a car show. Admission to both the park and the John Henry Days festival are free. Please contact us in the following ways: Email johnhenryhistoricalpark@gmail.com, visit our website at https://johnhenrypark.com, leave a message at (304) 466-7119 and your call will be returned, or mail JHHP, PO Box 254, Talcott, WV 24981.
Bluestone Wildlife Management Area
The Bluestone Wildlife Management Area runs along the scenic Bluestone River in Summers and Monroe counties. Within the boundaries of the Bluestone Wildlife Management area sits several primitive campgrounds: Bertha, Cedar Branch, Shanklin Ferry, and Mouth of Indian Creek. Each of these campgrounds offer scenic mountain views with hiking and biking trails. Along with the river access and trails, visitors can also choose to fish, kayak or canoe. During Turkey Season, these camping areas are utilized as basecamps for hunters. Each of the camping areas are open seasonally May through November, water levels permitting. All areas are primitive camping only and the cost is $15.00 per night, per site. Contact information includes: Bluestone Wildlife Management Area, 64 Office Drive, Indian Mills, WV 24935; or, leave a message along with contact information at (304) 466-7119 and your call will be returned.
Parks and Recreation
Meetings are held quarterly on the third (3rd) Tuesday of January, April, July, and October at 5:00 p.m. in the Summers Memorial Building auditorium unless posted otherwise.
The Summers County Parks & Recreation Commission is organized in accordance with Chapter 7, Article 11, Section 1, et seq, of the West Virginia Code for the purpose of establishing, improving, developing, administering, operating, and maintaining a county public parks and recreation system or public recreational facilities. It is the function of the Parks & Recreation Commission to concern itself with the above objective and to serve the County Commission as an adviser on parks and recreational matters.
The Parks and Recreation Commission shall have the right of eminent domain and the power and authority to receive and disburse any manner of funds related to revenues and expenses regarding the ownership or acquisition of properties, contractual agreements, the operation and use of facilities, insurance, and investments. The Commission has the right to establish and conduct a levy to fund the operations of a Parks & Recreation Commission.
The Parks & Recreation Commission shall consist of eleven members appointed by the County Commission in a manner to achieve geographical and organizational representation of the County. Candidates for the Parks & Recreation Commission must have been residents of the County for at least one (1) year prior to appointment. Two (2) Parks & Recreation Commission members shall be appointed from each of the three (3) geographical districts. One County Commission member will serve on the Parks & Recreation Commission, to be appointed by the Commission as its representative at the first regular County Commission meeting each year. In addition, one commissioner shall represent county emergency services, one shall represent the travel and tourism industry, one shall represent the Board of Education, and one commissioner shall be appointed as an “at large” representative. The terms of office are three years.