Dunkard Water Trail in Planning Stages

Creek new rec source

Morgantown Dominion Post
15 July 2013
By Evelyn Ryan

Add “water trail” to the list of trails available in Monongalia County.

Most folks are familiar with the Caperton Trail, through Morgantown; the Mon River Trail, outside the city; and the Decker’s Creek Trail.

For 10 years, folks who like to canoe or boat have been enjoying the Upper Mon Water Trail — all the joys of hiking a trail, only doing it on water.

The Greene County, Pa., Watershed Alliance is spearheading the creation of Dunkard Creek Water Trail, said Peggy Pings, the local National Park Service contact.

The first part will run from the Mason-Dixon Park east to the Monongahela River, she said.

“We ’ve divided the creek into five paddleable sections, and we are working on determining public access for each of those sections,” she said.

Now, a boater can put in at Mason-Dixon Park or the Bobtown, Pa., community park, she said.

“This is still very early in the planning stage,” she cautioned.

Anyone interested in being involved, whether it is with information on the stream or a site that can become public access, is welcome to contact her, she said.

To reach her: 304-293-7528 or peggy_pings@nps.gov.

“The more recreational opportunities there are with the creek, the better,” said Betty Wiley, with the Dunkard Creek Watershed Association. “This draws public attention to the creek and shows that it has a valuable place in people’s lives.”

Water trails are boat routes suitable for canoes, kayaks and small motorized watercraft.