Jack Roberts Park

Jack Roberts Park is located at the former site of First Ward School. The City of Morgantown's Board of Parks and Recreation Committee (BOPARC) preserved the area as a public park open to residents of the entire city.

The park attracts families to the neighborhood. In the past several years, many families with young children have purchased homes in First Ward because of the accessibility of this wonderful playground and green space.

Jack Roberts Park features a playground for young children, a baseball diamond for tee ball and kick ball, a basketball court, and a great sled-riding hill that draws children and their families from around the city.

The park is named after Jack Roberts, a long-time coach and teacher in Monongalia County.

West Virginia University

West Virginia University (WVU) is the flagship institution of higher education in the state of West Virginia. Many faculty and staff families live in First Ward. The University's downtown campus is very close to First Ward, and the Evansdale campus is a short drive across town.

As a university town, Morgantown is alive with activity-- major sports events, performances by world-renown artists, and lectures by acclaimed speakers significantly enhance the quality of life for area residents. With students from all 50 states and from 99 countries attending WVU, Morgantown is a diverse mix of cultures unique to the region and to West Virginia.


Photo from Encyclopedia Britannica.

Mon River Trail

The Mon River Trail is part of a large network of rail trails in the Morgantown area. More than 48 miles of trails extend along the Mon River from Fairmont to Star City and into the mountains of Preston County along Deckers Creek. In downtown Morgantown, Hazel Ruby McQuain Park features an amphitheatre, rest station, and easy access to downtown Morgantown.

Wharf District

Morgantown is a growing community, and the city's growth is nowhere more evident than in the Wharf District. A new hotel, new office buildings, and new housing have transformed the riverfront area. New restaurants and shops enliven the waterfront area, enhancing life for visitors and residents. The Mon River Trail provides miles of paths for recreational use and providing a unique perspective of life on one of America's busiest rivers.

Photo courtesy of the City of Morgantown.

Schools in First Ward

Most children in First Ward attend Mountainview Elementary, one of Monongalia County's finest schools. Both Trinity and St. Francis, private education alternatives for young children, are short drives from First Ward. Older students attend South Middle School and Morgantown High School, suburban schools that are an easy walk from much of First Ward.

Downtown Morgantown

Most of First Ward neighborhood is within easy walking distance of downtown Morgantown. The heart of our community features a diverse selection of businesses-- more than 75 retail businesses, including three dozen excellent restaurants spanning a large range of styles and prices. For shoppers, storefronts specialize in everything from jewelry and custom-made leather bags to clothing and comic books. At night, music clubs and theatres keep downtown hopping with the energy unique to a college town.

White Park

White Park covers 170 acres in First Ward. Thousands of people visit White Park all year round.

The Park's baseball and softball fields are used from spring to fall for recreational leagues. Children and adults at all competitive levels play on the Park's four softball fields and two baseball fields.

More than three miles of walking and biking trails are available. Trails meander throughout the park and provide excellent bird-watching vistas over the White Park Reservoir.

BOPARC manages the White Park facilities.