“Almost Heaven” swing is coming to Mason-Dixon Historical Park

The West Virginia Department of Tourism announced Monday that Mason-Dixon Historical Park in Monongalia County has been selected for the placement of an Almost Heaven swing.

The swings have become popular attractions throughout West Virginia, attracting visitors eager to take photos in some of the state’s most scenic locations.

There are currently 18 swings statewide. This will be the second swing to be installed in the seven-county Mountaineer Country tourism region. The other is in Coopers Rock State Forest, also in Monongalia County.

Located primarily within state parks, Grand Vue Park in Marshall County is currently the only county park with a swing set.

Other locations include the State Capitol, Wheeling Heritage Port, Hatfield McCoy Trails and the Philippi Covered Bridge

JR Petsko, Monongalia County Parks and Recreation Director, said he and Angela Hinerman, manager of Mason-Dixon Historical Park, worked with the state and the Visit Mountaineer Country CVB for several months to secure the swing and select the perfect location.

He said the site will highlight the historical significance of the Mason-Dixon Line as well as the beauty of Tucker Falls, a natural waterfall that is one of 43 stops on the West Virginia Waterfall Trail.

The swing is located a short distance down the park’s user-friendly Green Trail.

“It will be at the Dunkard Third Crossing. This is a monument we erected in the park at the Mason-Dixon line for people who couldn’t climb all the way to the top of Brown Hill to see the last survey site of Mason and Dixon,” Petsko said.

The swing is provided by the state. The district only incurs costs for installation.

Petsko said he was waiting for details on the delivery.

“If we could get it in the ground before the leaves change color, with all the changing leaves in the background, that would be a fantastic way to announce it.”

For more information about the Swing and Waterfall Trail, visit wvtourism.com

The announcement comes less than a week after Monongalia County Parks and Recreation officially opened the newly rebuilt Casey Cabin at Chestnut Ridge Park.

The cabin is now fully ADA compliant and was the first of the park’s seven cabins to be upgraded with $60,000 from the county’s parks and trails levy.

The work was carried out entirely internally by the district’s operations department.

Casey Cabin was named in honor of Mabel S. Casey, who donated 100 acres of land to the park in the 1930s.

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