Wythe County unveils Ager Park after renovation

Wythe County, Virginia – With a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 24, Ager Park reopened after renovations.

The Wythe County Board of Supervisors, staff and administration, community leaders, and contributors attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Additionally, present and offering free shaved ice was a local seller named Gilly’s Shaved Ice.

Renovations to Ager Park have been planned for a number of years. Play equipment for kids aged 8 to 12 was installed after the first phase was finished in August 2023. With equipment for kids ages 2 to 8, the second phase is now finished.

A novel aspect of the park is its ADA accessibility and Seven Principles of Inclusive Play design.

“We are so grateful to see this dream come to fruition,” said Kevin Williams, director of Wythe County Parks and Recreation. “This process has been a labor of love for many county leaders and departments and local supporters.”

“Ager Park is a staple of free recreation in Wythe County,” Williams said. “With these improvements, this playground will hopefully be around for another 30 years and beyond. Most importantly, it is more accessible than ever, ensuring that there is something for every child to enjoy.”

The Wythe-Bland Foundation, Wythe County Sheriff’s Office, Blue Line Solutions, business owners, and people, including children, contributed extra monies, while the Wythe County Board of Supervisors utilized federal Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency grants.

“Some funds for this project were contributed by drivers who paid fines for speeding in our school zones,” said Chief Deputy Anthony Cline of the Wythe County Sheriff’s Office. “We are pleased that the children in our community will be able to benefit from these funds.”

The names of the original donors and their offspring are engraved on wooden pickets, which will eventually be on display. Additionally, new donors’ names are being added to metal animal plaques.

Both donor projects were started by Wythe County Public Schools Technology Center Building Trades students, and they will continue in the upcoming academic year.