By Stephen Smoot
“Today marked the end of an era dating back to 1967 or earlier,” said Jennifer Sponaugle on June 8. Her statement marked the conclusion of an agreement to transfer ownership of the Lambert Hilltop Park to Harrisonburg, Virginia-based Horizon Learning Foundation.
“Today, the officers and board members voted to dissolve the association,” she added in her statement made on June 8. Much like many such organizations, dwindling numbers proved discouraging to those working to maintain the park. Once more than 300 members strong, in recent years, that number declined to approximately 80.
Sponaugle explained that “we couldn’t maintain it. We’ve tried since 2017 and we can’t do it.”
“Even with fundraisers every year, there was not enough money to maintain the building, pavilion, and grounds. Interest in maintaining the park was not there,” Sponaugle explained. This situation forced a vote on April 6 concerning the future of both the park and the organization supporting it.
That vote posed three future scenarios. Two voted to “keep that park as ‘status quo,’” meaning that the park organization would have done the best it could to continue as it had.
Another option lay in shutting down and boarding up the building and simply using the grounds.
The third, which earned overwhelming support, was “turn over Lambert Hilltop Park to a non-profit organization,” which it did. Last Friday, the parties met in the law office of Jeff Bowers in Franklin to finalize the details.
That organization, Endless Horizons, has continued to expand its impact in the North Fork area. One of their long-established projects has been NROCKS Outdoor Adventures, described on their website as “the premiere guided climbing center in West Virginia and the North Fork valley region. Endless Horizons also runs the nearby Gateway Restaurant at the foot of Spruce Knob in Riverton.
Last week, John Hall and Brian Williams from Endless Horizons met with Sponaugle and other representatives from Lambert Hilltop Park Association to sign the final paperwork on the transfer. Lambert Hilltop Park Association deeded it to Endless Horizons as a gift for $10 in consideration.
One of the stipulations, described by Sponaugle as “very important,” was that Endless Horizons happily agreed to was to always set aside the second weekend in August for the traditional Lambert family reunion. A plaque that will “last for years” honoring the families involved with the park and the association will be placed in the pavilion.
“I’ve worked with Jen for six years now,” said Williams, who also added that “Jen reached out to us to discuss an arrangement to take over the park.”
As Hall explained, their goal with the park and other facilities lies in “creating positive experiences for children and adults.” The website states that their various operations “share a common commitment to offer best-in-class services, programming, and experiences to help individuals and organizations grow to their full potential.”
Endless Horizons will use the park for its programming. One project in which it will be used is a “hut to hut” program. This project envisions a series of shelters on private property stocked with supplies for mountain bikers and hikers. Endless Horizons wishes to work with local framers especially to set up that network.
Hall remarked, “It makes us proud and appreciative of Jen and her family trusting us with the property.”
Local families in Cherry Grove started Lambert Hilltop Park on June 28, 1966, “for the benefit of the Lambert annual reunion.”
