In 1909, the Wheeling Recreation Commission opened the first playground in Wheeling at the corner of 16th & McColloch Streets and named it the Elk's playground.  Now, the City of Wheeling maintains and operates over 30 public spaces, 22 neighborhood playgrounds, 4 city pools, and over 29 ballfields dotting the city.

Our paved trail system is the region's largest and our state's largest urban network, with 24 miles already constructed for walkers, joggers, cyclists and rollerbladers. We are systematically repaving approximately one mile a year, refreshing our trail system one mile at a time.

Wheeling Park Commission administrates Wheeling Park and the Oglebay Park and Resort which offers an outstanding recreational opportunity to both residents and visitors. Its Festival of Lights attracts a million visitors annually, and its growing flower displays will soon surpass the Festival of Lights. Swimming, tennis, horseback riding, picnicking, hiking, skiing and fishing will augment your visits to the museums, shops, conference and special events centers, and outdoor summer entertainment series. Two professional golf courses designed by Robert Trent Jones and Arnold Palmer accompany the Crispin Center golf course and a par-three.

What about cultural, ethnic and religious diversity? The Wheeling area boasts one of the broadest ethnic, cultural and religiously diverse regions in the nation, with numerous descendants of and current immigrants from, western Europe, Asia and Africa. Churches, temples, and cultural centers abound. Oglebay Institute is the nation's oldest cultural and arts institution, with activities on three campuses ranging from visual and fine arts, performing arts and traveling exhibits. The Wheeling Symphony is a metropolitan class orchestra, with 35 performances annually.

Power of Parks 

Our Program and Activity Guide for all the upcoming camps and events for 2025 will be available soon!                            

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