We at the Parkersburg Police Department would like to alert the public that we are currently investigating numerous bomb threats being delivered via email to area businesses. Though we must investigate each as though they are a credible threat, we believe this to be part of a larger incident that is happening across the nation today where bomb threats have been delivered via email to businesses and local government offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Ohio and various other states across the United States. Our investigators have analyzed the email and believe it to be a phishing scam often originating outside the United States in which the sender is attempting to induce panic and obtain funds from the threatened business. We will coordinate with our Federal Law Enforcement partners to expand the investigation until it is determined who the person or person(s) involved are.
December 13, 2018
Parkersburg Police Website Link for reporting anonymous tips:
Construction to Begin on ADA Splash Park
The City of Parkersburg is pleased to announce that Hunt Valley Contractors has been given a
notice to proceed to construct a new 10,000 sq. ft. handicap accessible splash park at the City
Park Pool. Construction is slated to begin in September with a project completion date of May
2019. The new facility will replace an underutilized basketball court next to the pool and
significantly enhance the amount of social and play offerings available at the City Park Pool.
To mark the occasion, this City will host a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, September 4
at 3 p.m. at the City Park Pool. Officials will also be announcing planned improvements for the
pool area. Light refreshments will be available immediately following remarks and local
residents are encouraged to attend.
To ensure the new facility appeals to a variety of users, three different play zones will be
constructed. They include a Tot Zone, Family Zone and Dynamic Zone. The Tot Zone will have
several low to the ground, but colorful water features that create soft water formations. This
zone will be located in the northwest corner of the splash pad. The next largest zone is
the Family Zone. The family zone is suitable for all age groups, including those adults still young at
heart. Water features will include two palm trees, water way and an AquaGather Station. The
AquaGather Station is particularly unique in that it will allows users of all abilities to have
complete control over the water flow—where it goes and how fast or slow it flows. The main
attraction, will be a new, ultra-modern playground in the Dynamic Zone called the HydroHub2.
The HydroHub2 combines raised platforms with interactive experiences to deliver a unique
water play experience. Linked by a bridge and tunnel, kids can navigate the structure while
dodging or being doused with overhead water effects. Equally fun will be two nearby towering
water features, one of which is called the FlashFlood. The FlashFlood is a 17-foot tall structure
that unleashes a torrent of water on people gathered below.
Hunt Valley is a family owned and operated business located in Owing Mills, Maryland. The
company employs 49 people and has a general contractor’s license in West Virginia. Hunt
Valley has more than 37 years of construction experience and 10 years of experience installing
Landscape Structures equipment across Maryland, D.C., Virginia and West Virginia, and is proud
to bring the City’s new splash park to fruition.
The Community Development Block Grant provides funding for critical public services, which includes assistance to the City’s Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) Program. This program has operated since 1996 and was continued again in 2017. It is the mission of the Community Oriented Police Enforcement (COPE) Unit to work with all citizens to preserve life, protect property, and promote individual responsibility and community commitment. Our COPE Officer can be seen attending Neighborhood Watch meetings, addiction support groups, as well as numerous youth events throughout different neighborhoods. Funds are also used to support expenses related to neighborhood bike patrols. In 2017, the City of Parkersburg allocated $75,000 for this important program.
