The Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District oversees 15 parks, 10 baseball fields, two lodges, four cemeteries, tennis courts and so much more.
By Katherine Pyles
HQ 129 Spring 2025
In the late 1800s, a railroad tycoon set his sights on a vast expanse of land nestled between the historic communities of Guyandotte to the east and Ceredo to the west. Aside from Marshall College, a modest structure at that time, and a few scattered farmsteads, the land was virtually untouched. Recognizing its potential as the western terminus for his C&O Railway, Collis P. Huntington acquired the land and set about creating the infrastructure needed to realize his industrial dream.
However, in the rush to build the city, there was one glaring omission: a public park. From the city’s earliest days, citizens sought a communal green space, but no plans materialized until Rufus Switzer took office as Huntington’s mayor in 1909. The year prior, the city had purchased 55 acres along Four Pole Creek, originally intending it to be used for an incinerator. Local opposition prompted Switzer to propose a bold alternative: the land would become a city park. Lumberman C.L. Ritter donated additional land in exchange for a road to his hilltop home, and in 1913 Ritter Park was born — a testament to vision, negotiation and the value of green spaces in city life.
Today, this sprawling 75-acre sanctuary is recognized year after year as one of America’s best public spaces. Ritter Park is known for its crushed limestone path; an award-winning rose garden of over 3,300 roses, including historic All-America Selections (AAS) winners; and the Huntington PetSafe Dog Park, a 3.5-acre canine haven. Every summer, the Ritter Park amphitheater comes alive with community theater productions and live music, while a dozen nearby tennis and pickleball courts serve up fun at no charge.
Over a century after Ritter Park was established, the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District (GHPRD) continues to honor its legacy of community-driven progress, said Executive Director Kathy McKenna. While many other park systems fall under city or county government, the GHPRD has always been managed by and for the community.
“A lot of people don’t realize that we’re not affiliated with the City of Huntington or the Cabell County Commission,” McKenna said. “We operate as our own independent entity, which makes us very unique.”
This independence does limit resources — for example, the GHPRD doesn’t have a public works department to depend on — but it has also fostered strong community support, McKenna said. Funding for the GHPRD primarily comes from property taxes, including the excess school levy that passed in 2024 after a community-led movement reversed earlier cuts to Cabell County’s schools, libraries and parks. This revenue is supplemented by grants, private donors and the district’s rental facilities, which include 11 picnic shelters and three indoor facilities.
“For over 30 years, I’ve seen how much people care about our parks,” said McKenna, who started working for the GHPRD as a college student, dressing up as the Easter Bunny for the district’s egg hunt. “Despite not being under the city’s jurisdiction, the city has been a great partner to us, stepping in to help whenever we’ve needed assistance.”
While Ritter Park is rightfully hailed as Huntington’s “Crown Jewel,” the GHPRD boasts an impressive network of hidden gems as well, each offering unique opportunities for exploration and recreation, McKenna said.
“I’ve attended national parks and recreation conferences held in different cities throughout the country, and I always visit the parks in those areas,” McKenna said. “I’ve been blown away at how our parks compare to the bigger cities.”
Spanning over 100 acres, Rotary Park is Huntington’s largest park, with miles of hiking and biking trails that offer breathtaking views of the city. The park recently became home to one of the West Virginia Department of Tourism’s “Almost Heaven” swings, which are placed around the state to showcase West Virginia’s most scenic landscapes. Rotary Park is also a popular destination for disc golf enthusiasts, featuring two courses designed by disc golf champion Johnny Sias.
“Outdoor recreation has increased since COVID, with a lot of people pursuing new activities and new ways to get outside,” McKenna said. “Of course, pickleball has taken off like crazy, but disc golf has also grown significantly. Rotary Park hosts a couple of tournaments a year, including an Ice Bowl Tournament held each January.”
While one of Rotary Park’s disc golf courses is moderately difficult, the other is quite advanced, McKenna noted. To introduce newcomers to the sport, the GHPRD is considering adding a smaller, beginner-level course near the Ritter Park amphitheater.
Playgrounds at Huntington’s parks cater to all ages and abilities. Altizer Park invites imaginations to soar with an outer space theme, while Harveytown Park charms with a barn-themed play structure and pigpen sandpit. St. Cloud Commons is designed for inclusivity with its fully accessible playground, splashpad and restrooms; the GHPRD continues to enhance the St. Cloud complex with parking lot upgrades and other improvements.
The GHPRD also oversees 10 ball fields, four cemeteries — including two historical cemeteries — and rental facilities like the Ritter Park Room with a View, the St. Cloud Commons Lodge and the Lodge at Camp Mad Anthony Wayne.
“Our indoor facilities host a variety of groups, from weddings to family reunions to corporate gatherings,” said McKenna. “One family has held their annual reunion at Camp Mad Anthony Wayne for over 40 years. We’ve had everything from LARPing (live-action role-playing) events to yoga retreats. It’s rewarding to be part of people’s lives in this way. I think a lot of times our parks are a bright spot in the community.”
The GHPRD hosts community events like egg hunts, game nights and the popular father-daughter and mother-son dances, all of which are offered at low or no cost.
This year, the GHPRD’s standout project is the renovation of Prindle Field, located on Charleston Avenue between Park Street and 14th Street. Funded by private donations and small grants, Phase 1 of the project includes two basketball courts — one with pickleball lines — and a challenge course-style playground geared toward ages 13 and up. The playground features a timing component for competitive fun.
GHPRD board president Alan Morrison said these improvements and others are what will ensure the GHPRD remains one of Huntington’s most valuable assets. The future of Huntington’s parks depends on the passion and commitment of the community that cares for them, he said.
“When a hospital brings in a new physician candidate, a law firm brings in a lawyer candidate or a church brings in a ministerial candidate, one of the first things they do is drive through Ritter Park,” Morrison said. “There’s no question that our parks are a great benefit to our community and a selling point for both residents and visitors. The challenge for us is to keep it that way.”
For more information about upcoming GHPRD events and current projects, visit www.ghprd.org or find the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District on Facebook or Instagram.
