Gift of Land Opens Way for Pavilion
A two-year search for a location for the 50th Class Anniversary gift to the Barnesville Community by the Class of 1975 overcame a major hurdle this past week with the gift transfer of property on the east side to the Village of Barnesville.
Continuing the tradition of returning to the school and community upon reaching the golden anniversary, members of the class settled on erecting a pavilion or shelter in the community.
After locations at Barnesville Memorial Park, the new ballfield off of Pultney Avenue and the Barnesville Depot and Watt Center properties were ruled out, a location along the newly completed Railroad Street walking/bike path was tossed out as a possibility.
The problem, however, is the area the village has maintained along Railroad and East Main streets since the old railbed was converted to a street did not belong to the town!
All the parties gathered at Belmont Savings Bank Wednesday, Oct. 14 to officially transfer two parcels of about 1.6 acres.
“We’re very thankful for Belmont Savings for their willingness to step up and just one phone call to Richard Riesbeck and we were on our way,” said Mayor Jake Hershberger. “We are grateful for being able to add a recreational aspect to the trail.”
1975 alum Jimmy Grear said there were other groups in town interested in the project that may add a play area or other amenities once the pavilion is in place.
“On behalf of the class of ’75 and the committee I like to say we are very grateful for your support and your donation to make this happen,” said classmate Max Burkhart.
Richard Riesbeck, president and CEO of Riesbeck’s Market, related how he his father and uncle met with the former landowner, Donald Walker decades ago about purchasing the land.
“He wanted to sell 18 acres, but it had to be on his terms, which included both sides of the highway,” Riesbeck said. “ ‘Well, we only need that side (of the property) for a store’, my uncle said. ‘ ”
Walker wanted to sell it in one transaction and so it happened.
The land property was split by the 1957 relocation of State Route 147, the majority of the land to the south of the new road while a triangular section remained on the north between the B & O Railroad and the new highway.
“A couple of years later, the bank approached us and we said, of course, we would love to have you out on this end of town,” the CEO said. “Riesbeck’s are certainly thrilled to be part of this, and hopefully, it will be in the spirit of a great partnership.”
“We try to give back to all the communities that we serve. This is a no-brainer project,” said Todd Cover, Belmont Savings CEO. ” This is just a small token on our behalf to keep this village moving forward.”
Images of the proposed pavilion that will go up along the walking/bike path. (Photos provided by 1975 representatives)
Barnesville Area News Needs Your Support!
We're dedicated to providing coverage of the local happenings in Barnesville and the neighboring communities.
As a non-profit entity, we rely on the donations of readers like you.
Make a donation today and you'll be helping keep local news alive in the Barnesville area.