An exploratory meeting is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 9 at the War Memorial Building to discuss the possibility of a Friends of Morgan’s Grove Park organization. The meeting is scheduled to begin with a social period at 6 p.m. and the formal meeting at 7.

Former Shepherdstown Community Club president Mike Austin indicated that the hope is to draw individuals from throughout the community who are interested in the future of the park as well as in all of the possible events that could be held there. Not only are those who use the park encouraged to attend, but so are those who simply live near the property and care how it is used and maintained.

Austin shared that he could see the Friends group falling under the non-profit status of the Community Club which would eliminate the need to file additional paperwork for another non-profit entity. The group would focus, he said, on the park and all who have an interest in it.

While the park is used for such things as soccer and other sporting events, there are many other individuals who use or could use the area.

Among these are environmentalists, naturalists, geologists and those who see the park as part the Town Run watershed. Efforts of the potential Friends group could focus on maintaining and preserving the park for these or many other uses.

Austin said that the Community Club, which owns the park, has offered space there for the “Beeline” monument that is owned by the Daughters of the American Revolution. Currently the monument is located in a less than noticeable location which could cause traffic safety issues on Route 480 if individuals in vehicles stopped to see it.

Individuals who plan to attend the meeting are encouraged to bring their ideas not only for such things as fundraising efforts but also for events to be held at the park. Members of the Community Club hope to receive input from a variety of individuals interested in the preservation and continued use of the park as a community asset.

There are already plans formulated for 250th celebratory events at the park as well as other annual events such as Earth Day and the Labor Day picnic.

The community is also asked to consider the proposed donation of a community pool at the park as well as the possibility of a permanent band shell.

While many ideas already exist, there are endless possibilities for events, maintenance and funding for the park. The meeting Monday is the initial look at what aspects are most important to the community as a whole and how the community can come together to reach specified goals.