Residents urge more drinking water fountains and public restrooms on rail trails and green spaces

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Public commenters at the July 1 council meeting urged Morgantown to increase drinking water access and public restroom availability on the city’s rail trails, green spaces and in downtown.

Leslie Nash, a resident who uses the rail trail frequently, detailed where existing water fountains are located and said there are large stretches of trail and greenways without drinking water. Nash said fountains are available near the downtown pavilion, at Terra Café/Star City, at Mile Marker 4 and at a location near Mile Markers 10–11 toward Fairmont, but that Marilla Park’s fountain has been out of service during construction and there are long gaps between functioning fountains on the rail network. Nash called the scarcity of water “a shame” for a city that promotes outdoor recreation and requested that the city inventory, repair and add durable water stations on trails and greenways.

Other public commenters, including volunteers running a hydration‑station project, asked the council to approve an asbestos‑sampling bid (for parcel demolition in Greenmont) so their neighborhood initiative for green space can proceed — noting asbestos testing is a major step before demolition and land repurposing. Commenters and volunteers also recommended more public bathrooms downtown and suggested the council review a durable bathroom prototype some members have discussed.

Council members acknowledged the comments and said staff will consider water and restroom access during park and trail planning. No specific funding action was taken at the meeting.

(Ending) Residents asked the city to prioritize durable, year‑round water access and additional public restrooms as part of ongoing park, trail and downtown infrastructure planning.