Hannah's Heroes: Bev Enochs’ 25-year push transforms Newell parks, sidewalks, community

Описание: In the small, unincorporated community of Newell, West Virginia — a town of just over 1,200 people at the northernmost tip of the state — a yearslong effort to bring attention and resources to the area has reshaped parks, public spaces and community life.

Beverly “Bev” Enochs said the challenge facing Newell became clear during a conversation with a Hancock County commissioner in 2001.

“I asked him, 'why is it that you’re spreading all of this money and [Newell] doesn’t get anything. Why don’t we ever get awarded anything? Or have any projects?' And he looked at me and said, 'because nobody’s ever asked,' ” Enochs said.

That answer stuck with Bev, and instead of accepting it, she decided to do something about it. She called town meetings at the fire station and invited anyone who cared about Newell to show up.

About 40 people came, but not everyone believed change was possible.

"A lot of naysayers -- 'you'll never get it done, we've tried this before,' " Bev said.

But this time, there were connections and follow-throughs.

The newly formed Newell Community Improvement Coalition worked with county and state officials to secure funding for its first major project -- new sidewalks along Newell’s main street in 2003.

From there, the group set its sights on something far more ambitious -- hidden beneath years of overgrowth sat Laurel Hollow Park.

Once a thriving destination in the early 1900s, complete with gardens, walking paths, and even a zoo, the park had been abandoned after the death of its benefactor, George Washington Clarke, in 1913.

Then, for more than 85 years, it sat untouched.

“It was so overgrown. You couldn’t even see anything,” Coalition Treasurer Sue Thompson said.

FULL STORY: https://wtov9.com/features/hannahs-he...
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