The Watoga State Park Foundation elected three new members to the board of directors, Bill Hoffman of Hurricane, along with Alfred Dean and Jody Spencer, both from Pocahontas County. Dean brings years of experience with the West Virginia parks and park foundations, beginning with his posting to Watoga in 1955. He celebrated his 82nd birthday by attending his first Watoga Foundation meeting. For Spencer, it was also a noteworthy day - his first as the new park superintendent at Watoga. Hoffman and his family are long time users of Watoga, as are many of the other board members. Board Chairman David Elliott remarked, “Finding a first-time guest at Watoga can seem a lot like looking for Bigfoot, and if Bigfoot is ever found here it will likely turn out that he’s been coming to Watoga for years.” The new directors were plunged into the activities of planning the Watoga State Park Mountain Trail Challenge - 5K and half marathon trail races - coming up on Aug. 13. The races use the beautiful Watoga trail system, which is being restored and maintained by foundation volunteers in cooperation with park staff. Information about running the half marathon and running or walking the 5K can be found at watogafoundation.org/race. Volunteers for race day can sign up there, too.
