Governor Jim Justice donates money for inclusive playground at Mylan Park

MORGANTOWN, W.Va (WDTV) – Many kids face different challenges when they go outside to play, but thanks to a heavy donation by Governor Jim Justice on Monday the SteppingStones organization at Mylan Park can begin construction for a new inclusive playground.

“We have some dollars available in our contingency fund,” Gov. Justice said.

“Coach Don Nehlen contacted me and said we got a real shortfall here and they want to build this incredible playground for all these folks and everything. What’s wrong with us if we don’t stand up?”

The governor and Republican candidate for U.S. Senate donated a check. With more inclusive playgrounds beginning construction across North Central West Virginia, the Governor says this is vital to making sure everyone feels welcome when they visit the Mountain State.

“People that want to come to our state need these facilities and it will help us from an economic standpoint within the state and so these are not just feel-good projects but these are economic development projects as well but absolutely first and foremost they are what we should do for crying out loud come on. Come on West Virginia step up.”

SteppingStones hatched the idea for an inclusive playground at Mylan Park four years ago. After COVID-19 the playground committee turned to Don Nehlen to reach out to Justice as his Gubernatorial tenure winds down.

“A couple of weeks ago we were in a meeting and we’re about $750,000 dollars into our fundraising efforts for the playground,” said SteppingStones Executive Director Monica Marietta.

“Coach Nehlen was talking about being in the Greenbrier with the governor and I said coach let’s see if we can get a meeting with the governor and let’s talk to him about our playground and our dreams here and make it become a reality. And coach said you want me to call him? And I said if you don’t mind.”

“I love our kids and really and truly I’ll miss these moments an awful lot,” said Gov. Justice.

“Because I don’t know how you can do anything better.”

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