WELLSBURG, W.Va. - Despite the bitter cold temperatures, there is work to be done at Brooke Hills Park, and the Army Reserves are braving the chill to get it done.
This weekend, a troop is working to clear brush and move some earth as part of a multi-phase project that will result in an expanded baseball field and new multipurpose field.
It is all part of a Private Partnership Initiative between the park and Reserves.
The Reserves provide labor and machinery in exchange for meals and a place to conduct cold weather training.
"We have to be ready to fight in any atmosphere, so when we get the opportunity, we come out and do what we would do overseas or anywhere else stateside in any climate," said Captain Kevin Starbuck.
The soldiers work at the park, but they also get out in the community.
Local churches and organizations prepare and serve hot meals, and it gives the Reserves a chance to show people the work they do.
"Especially in this area of West Virginia, it's really hard to get good recruits, so we can show the community what we're capable of and some of the things that people probably didn't even know we do as a Reserve," said Captain Starbuck.
They have been working with Brooke Hills Park continuously since 2015 and have completed between 10 and 20 projects.
This is by far their biggest project, but they are hoping to complete it by the end of 2018.
