Soccer field sweep planned for June 4

The Morgan County Parks & Recreation board has planned a sweep of the county’s soccer field along U.S. 522 south of Berkeley Springs on Saturday, June 4 at 9:30 a.m. They invite the public to participate. Organizers say the event should last about an hour.

Parks officials said previous plans to dig exploratory holes in the field have been shelved. Instead, volunteers will scan the field, some armed with metal detectors, and will place flags where any debris is found.

The field has twice been closed to public use by the Morgan County Commissioners because of concerns about debris embedded in the field’s topsoil.

County officials and members of the public have found metal, glass and plastic items on the field, which was intended for use by youth soccer.
Parks & Rec acting director Bruce Beadenkopf
said members of the community are encouraged to attend the Saturday event, and to take their own metal detectors.

“The public is invited to walk the soccer complex and mark the field with flags to show exactly how much glass and metal might exist,” said Beadenkopf in an event announcement.

Commissioner Brad Close promoted the idea of a work day at the field, saying it wouldn’t cost the county anything and could answer questions about the safety of the field.

The commission, which controls the property for the county, has been divided over the matter.

Commission President Stacy Dugan has said she won’t open the field until the current topsoil has been removed and clean soil put in place.