SWEET SPRINGS W.Va. (WVDN) – Fall at the park has begun on a somber note with the loss of Ashby Berkley, but as he wished, “the show will go on.”
On Oct. 19, the highly anticipated first weekend of the House of Horrors opened as scheduled. Proceeds from the evening were used to purchase metal historic signage for each of the National Landmark buildings, featuring the name of the building and a brief history.
WVVA held a heartfelt memorial for Ashby on Thursday, Oct. 24. During a Zoom interview with Arietta DuPre, some future plans were discussed. The top priority will be repairing the sewer plant, followed by installing water and restrooms in the Jeffersonian Building. Work on the sewer plant is expected to start in mid-December or early January 2025.
Once the sewer plant is operational and water is flowing into the Jeffersonian Hotel building, construction on the pub, gift shop and other lower floor plans will commence. This development will generate funds to start even more restoration projects.
Construction on the three driving ranges to be built on the farmland is set to begin in early spring, as they have already been designed by professional golfer and course designer Charles Furbee from Parkersburg, West Virginia.
On Nov. 30 and Dec. 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the volunteers of Sweet Springs Park invite the public to a Santa Meet & Greet. This event will give children the chance to meet Santa and receive a gift bag from him. It will also be an opportunity for community members, including those from surrounding areas, to share their ideas for the future of the park and to ask questions about current plans.
DuPre said, “While we cannot guarantee that every idea will be used, we believe that ideas are what make dreams come true. The volunteers are eager to hear diverse suggestions that will help transform the park into a true community space for everyone.”
Nov. 10, at 11 a.m., the park will host the last of the 2024 Historical Tours of the Jeffersonian Hotel. The new schedule for the 2025 Tours April-July is:
Saturday, April 12, 2025, 11 a.m.
Saturday, May 10, 2025, 11 a.m. – Special Mothers Day Tour
Saturday, June 14, 2025, 11 a.m. – Special Fathers Day Tour
Saturday, July 12, 2025, 11 a.m. – During Freedom Festival Music Event
