In the late 1700s, Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon surveyed the area that formed the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia (later West Virginia). Over three years, the duo surveyed the area to resolve the border dispute between the states. Along their route, they erected markers on the line. Their work created a definitive border between the states and ended the debate. Nestled along the line, on the border between Pennsylvania and West Virginia, sits the Mason-Dixon Historical Park on 295 acres of bucolic Appalachian beauty.
The park is just a short distance from I-79, making it an ideal location for both local and traveling visitors. Guests can enjoy picnicking, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and other outdoor activities during spring, summer, and fall. When winter comes round, guests often use the park for sledding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowboarding. Park activities are always free and are available from dawn to dusk whenever weather permits.
Multiple trails wind through park ground. Trails include the 1.3-mile M-D Marker trail, the .55-mile Blue trail, 0.6-mile Green trail, the 0.35 Orange trail, the 0.79 West Side trail, 0.35-mile Bluebell trail, the 0.7-mile Mountain Bike trailhead, and the 0.75-mile Lucky Dog trail. If you’re hoping to see the Mason-Dixon Marker stone, take the M-D Marker Trail; this trail also connects to other trails throughout the park. Another visitor favorite is the Bluebell Trail; in the spring, this trail showcases fields of bluebells (giving the trail its name) and is home to the Fairy Door Trail. All the trails bring visitors closer to nature with beautiful scenery.
“Our guests love our trails and facilities. We have two trails that are big attractions: the Fairy Door trail, and the Spacewalk trail,” says Park Superintendent Angela Hinerman. “These are interactive trails that people in the community have contributed to and help maintain for the enjoyment of others. All our trails are also mountain bike friendly, so we do have a decent influx of cyclists as well.”
“The park is very peaceful and serene. Even when events are going on, you can still find a quiet spot somewhere to just stop and re-adjust your mind.”
Angela became Park Superintendent in June 2022, and has spent the past year working to make the park a destination for everyone. She is a recent graduate of Fairmont State University (2021). She enjoys the job and the park itself: “My favorite thing about the park is putting on events for the public to come and enjoy. I always refer to our park as a hidden gem. It’s very diverse.”
The park is home to many events over the year, both small and large. The park has hosted wild bird talks, an Easter egg hunt, a ramp dinner and wildflower walk, craft and vendor shows, festivals, visits with Santa and concerts. Some of the events, such as the ramp dinner, craft shows, and Mountain Pow Wow, are collaborative efforts with other organizations.
During the summer, the Monongalia County Parks & Recreation Summer Concert Series brings music to the parks with concerts. Concerts start at 6:30pm, so bring a blanket or chair, and let the kids enjoy the park while you relax to the music. Tickets for the concerts are $5/person; children six and under are free. Concessions are available, and coolers are welcome. The next concert is on August 5; stop by and watch The Five & Dime perform.
On August 25 and 26, Mountain Spirit Pow Wow returns. The Native American Community Center, Inc., a nonprofit organization that celebrates Native American culture, organizes the event. Adults and children dance in traditional regalia, with drumming, singing, storytelling, Native American-style crafts, jewelry, clothing and more. Concessions are available, including Native American fry bread, buffalo burgers, and other food and drinks. Cost is $5/person and children five and under are free with adult admission.
On October 7, the Mason-Dixon Line Festival & Buckwheat Cake Breakfast celebrates the creation of the line and serves delicious buckwheat pancakes with sausage. The breakfast is from 8am until noon, and adults are $12 and children under 12 are $5. And don’t forget to stop by for the annual evening visit with Santa on December 16.
The park also continues to grow, with fresh additions and improvements every year. It recently celebrated the grand opening of their Dunkard Pavilion and the debut of their new Space Trail. Local teachers and the students at North Elementary in Morgantown, WV, created the spacewalk. Plans to build a volleyball court are also in the works.
“Over the past year we have made some large improvement including installing a brand-new playground as well as the demolition and rebuild of our Dunkard Pavilion,” Angela says. “Our staff is always seeking to make the park look better and functionable for the community. Smaller things include adding new benches, fixing trails, installing fence, and maintaining the park property daily.”
Park facilities are available for rental all year, and include pavilions with modern restrooms, a ball field, a large red barn with cooking and dining facilities, and Fisher Cabin. The furnished cabin sleeps two adults and two children and features a wood-burning stove, full-size bed, bunk beds, electricity, microwave, and mini fridge. Outside, enjoy your meals outdoors at the picnic table, with a charcoal grill and potable water spigot for your use. The restrooms are a short walk away; currently, there are no shower facilities.
FMI, visit the park at 79 Buckeye Road in Core, WV, check out their website at MonCountyParks.com, or follow them on Facebook.