Volunteers with the Shepherdstown Community Club, through staggered scheduling, continue to keep Morgan's Grove Park in shape for community visitors. Toni Milbourne

SHEPHERDSTOWN — In preparation for the future lifting of restrictions and return to social activities, the Shepherdstown Community Club’s members are working diligently on the upkeep of the War Memorial Building and Morgan’s Grove Park.

According to the club’s latest newsletter, the club’s contract with a local lawn service has been beneficial to the park, by making sure its lawn maintenance would continue through the pandemic. However, the individual work of SCC members has been needed to ensure the total maintenance of the park, as its walking trail and fields are still in use, during the state closure of its playgrounds and facilities.

“We have got the parking looking pretty spiffy,” said Jennifer Wabnitz, club president. “We have single volunteers out there doing little jobs. One young lady collected sticks, another local resident volunteered to empty the trash can and add it to his family’s trash pick-up.”

According to Wabnitz, SCC members David and Laura Foglesong are taking daily walks at the park, to keep an eye out for anything needing work. Town councilman and SCC member David Rosen has created a virtual sign-up page to help organize volunteer in cleaning up the park, and coordinated with Viking Tree Services to do tree-clearing of dead trees at the park. Two Boy Scouts from Troop 33 have also helped out at the park, to complete their Eagle Scout projects. One project involved the restoration of the Quonset Hut and area, while the second restored and added railings at the pavilion.

“Even during this challenging time, folks are still doing great things,” Wabnitz said.

Just like the park, the War Memorial Building has been closed to events. During the closure, Jenny Haynes has spring cleaned inside the building, in preparation for when it can once again be used by the public.

As the club has not been able to make any money from use of their park and the WMB, community members and businesses can help support it in two different ways.

First, community members can donate books to the club, for sale in the club’s annual book sale fundraiser in October. Volunteers to work the event are also needed. To learn more, contact event organizer Mike Austin at 304-876-0598.

Second, the club is featuring a new advertisement opportunity to businesses who would like to purchase a banner to be displayed at the park. To learn more, contact SCC member Adam Shively.

“Social distancing is the exact opposite of our club design,” Wabnitz said. “We want people to get together and enjoy themselves. We have encouraged club members to call each other just to chat.”

Although dealing with an unknown timeline, the SCC is still hopeful a June 16 picnic can be held at Morgan’s Grove Park, as well as the Fourth of July barbecue.

“In addition, as soon as the stay at home order is lifted, we hope to have a town party at the park. I am trying to plan an event with no date which is challenging,” Wabnitz said, mentioning that, as soon as a date is confirmed, the club will publicize the event.

Until that time, club members encourage visitors to use the park responsibly, following all issued guidelines. They also encourage those who are able to support the club to do so either financially or through volunteerism.

For more information, contact Wabnitz at duckrippler1@frontier.com.