From left: Autumn Neal, 15; Kinleigh Williams, 9; Olivia Moss, 10; Sericka Mackell, 7; and Larissa Mackell swing at the new playground in Meadowood Park in Tornado on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
From left: Autumn Neal, 15; Sericka Mackell, 7; and Mary Moss spin on a carousel at the new playground in Tornado's Meadowood Park on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
Olivia Moss (foreground), 10, and Kinleigh Williams, 9, enjoy a slide at Tornado's new playground in Meadowood Park on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
For many western Kanawha County residents, the new playground at Meadowood Park is a breath of fresh air.
It replaced an old metal structure at the park, which Tornado resident A.J. Moss said had rusted holes and presented a danger to children.
The playground at Meadowood includes two new play structures, additional free-standing play equipment, two covered benches and a swing set with ADA-compliant and accessible swings. A Mountaineer Mile walking/running trail also has been installed, as part of Gov. Patrick Morrisey's "Make West Virginia Healthy Again" health and fitness initiative.
The new playground will be dedicated Saturday.
Larissa Mackell lives a few minutes away and said she will be going to the park "24/7," especially when the weather cools down.
Her daughter, Sericka, 7, has severe epilepsy and experiences frequent seizures. Mackell said she feels comfortable letting Sericka run on the new shredded-tire ground cover because it easily cushions her frequent falls.
From left: Autumn Neal, 15; Sericka Mackell, 7; and Mary Moss spin on a carousel at the new playground in Tornado's Meadowood Park on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
"She's always in and out of the hospital, so it's nice to just get away," Mackell said. "She misses out on so much. This was like going to Disneyland."
Meadowood Park, which includes 20 acres of maintained recreational land, is one of three parks to benefit from the Kanawha County Commission's $275,000 parks project. All three county parks — which include Coonskin and Pioneer parks — will installing similar playgrounds.
“This project is about more than just new equipment," Kanawha County Commissioner Lance Wheeler said in a news release. "It’s about creating spaces where kids can be kids and families can connect. We’re investing in our parks so children across Kanawha County have a safe, fun place to play, and so people of all ages have opportunities to stay active and live healthy lifestyles. This is just one part of our broader commitment to building healthier, stronger communities.â€
From left: Autumn Neal, 15; Kinleigh Williams, 9; Olivia Moss, 10; Sericka Mackell, 7; and Larissa Mackell swing at the new playground in Meadowood Park in Tornado on Wednesday, July 9, 2025.
LAURA BILSON | Gazette-Mail
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Laura Bilson is a visual journalist at the ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä Gazette-Mail. She can be reached at lbilson@hdmediallc.com. Follow her on Instagram: @laura_bilson.
