New playground equipment and other improvements have begun for Dorie Miller Park, the popular Lewisburg activity spot named after Naval legend Mess Attendant Second Class Dorie Miller, whose heroic actions during the Attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 earned him Navy Cross for manning anti-aircraft guns and carrying wounded soldiers to safety.
The new improvements to the park were made through funds from the Lewisburg Parks Commission and the coal severance account from the city.
“You really have to credit the parks commission vision for making Dorie Miller Park better,” said Lewisburg Mayor Beverly White.
White stated that the new playground equipment was chosen to more “generational” friendly allowing parents, guardians or grandparents the opportunity to interact and play with their little ones on a more direct basis.
Swings that fit toddlers and their accompanying adult are just some of the new equipment the park features.
The recreational portion of the park also now sports restrooms for park-goers.
“We have an ingenious crew in our public works department that made the new restrooms possible,” White said.
Other new improvements still in the works but not yet completed are a new pavilion located near the basketball courts and the new parking lot, and a sidewalk that will eventually connect to other portions of the city.
The newly constructed playground work has been worked on and fine tuned over the last month with more work coming, White said.
From a completed pavilion, sidewalk and character development stations there is more to come to Dorie Miller down the road. White hoped that the whole project would be wrapped up by spring 2021.
“We’re glad to let people know they can come out, enjoy the new equipment and be in the fresh air,” White said.
Lewisburg Councilwoman and Parks Commission member Sarah Elkins stated the new improvements to Dorie Miller Park time well with the Navy’s announcement to dedicate a new USS Aircraft Carrier in Doris Miller’s name.
Construction on the USS Doris Miller is set to begin in 2026 by the Newport News Shipbuilding company. The carrier will be launched in October 2029 and commissioned in 2030 according to documents from the United States Navy.
CUTLINE: Megan Pozzie of Rainelle and her son, Roger, enjoy the new generational swing set at Dorie Miller Park in Lewisburg that allows both child and adult to enjoy swinging at the same time. The city of Lewisburg has conducted other improvements at the park, with more to completed by spring 2021. (Bill Frye cutline, photo)
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