Coonskin Park receives federal funding for repairs

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Coonskin Park will receive more than $1.1 million for restoration efforts related to the June 2016 flood.

The money, from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will go toward repairing the park’s pool, sewer system, irrigation and service roads.

U.S. Sens. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., announced the funding on Wednesday.

“This support for infrastructure at the park will help increase accessibility and create more opportunities for families to enjoy our wild and wonderful state,” Capito said. “I will continue to advocate for additional flood relief for West Virginia and look forward to these improvements being made at Coonskin Park.”

Kanawha County Commissioner Ben Salango told 580-WCHS the county has occurred $623,000 in expenses as a result of the damages to the park. He said the money will go towards reimbursing the county for repairs mostly to the damaged roads.

“The road itself, Elk River Road, is about 2,900 feet long and about 1,900 feet of it was damaged. We lost embankments along the road as well. We had 170-foot long embankment that dropped nearly eight feet,” he said.