In 1909, the Wheeling Recreation Commission opened the first playground in Wheeling at the corner of 16th & McColloch Streets and named it Elks Playground. Now, the City of Wheeling has over 30 public spaces, 29 ball fields, four city pools, and 22 playgrounds that consist of the city parks system. In addition to our city parks, we have two regional municipal parks managed by the Wheeling Park Commission: Oglebay Resort and Wheeling Park. 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. Along with these municipal parks, listed below are wonderful  recreational opportunities available in our area. We do not manage any of the places listed.  They are separate entities.  Please find their information when you click on their link.

 Oglebay Institute 

For more than 75 years, the nonprofit Oglebay Institute has been a gathering place to learn, create, enjoy and appreciate art and nature. The five departments of Oglebay Institute are Dance, Environmental Education, Museums, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. Oglebay Institute supports the local artistic community, serves as a resource for educators, and helps people develop their creative potential through education and example. 

Schrader Environmental Education Center   

 Nestled in the picturesque Oglebay Park, Oglebay Institute’s Schrader Environmental Education Center offers year-round nature programs for all ages. Nature enthusiasts gather here to experience a sense of community around a shared love of nature. Hands-on programs expand nature knowledge, promote outdoor discovery and foster lifelong learning.  Hike our trail system and learn about some of West Virginia’s native habitats, stroll through the Wildflower & Butterfly Garden and visit The Samara Shop to purchase nature-inspired products carefully selected to captivate a sense of wonder and adventure.  Schrader programs include everything from guided nature walks and evening campfires to Halloween hikes and maple sugaring.

Stifel Fine Arts Center   

Housed in the 100-year-old Edemar Mansion, Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center is Wheeling’s premier public arts center. Once home to one of Wheeling’s most prominent families and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this grand mansion is now a public arts center with galleries, classrooms and performance space. Changing art exhibits occupy the first and second floors of the Stifel Center and feature the work of local, regional and national artists. Exhibits are free and open to the public to tour.  As you explore the historic mansion, you will marvel at the stained-glass windows, grand central staircase, marble floors and the majestic fireplace in the formal living room. During warm weather, stroll through the sculpture gardens.  Hundreds of public events take place each year from wine and craft beer tastings to concerts and art classes. Open Monday-Friday 9am – 5pm and Saturdays 10 am – 4pm. Evening hours are dependent on classes and special events.  Call 304-242-7700. Admission to tour the home and explore the art gallery is free. 

School of Dance       

Since its founding in 1930, Oglebay Institute has recognized the importance of creative expression through movement and music. Dance, in all forms, has been a vibrant part of Institute’s programming for more than eight decades. Oglebay Institute’s School of Dance presents dance as an art form and a means of self-expression and social interaction for all ages. From novice dancers to returning professionals, students can immerse themselves in the art of dance at OI. With classes for all ages and skill levels, opportunities to perform publicly and specialty workshops with master teachers from around the globe, OI engages dancers at every stage of development. 

Towngate Theatre & Cinema       

A church-turned-theater, Oglebay Institute’s Towngate Theatre is located in Wheeling’s historic Centre Market District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Towngate is a cornerstone of creative life in Wheeling and serves as an entertainment destination for residents of Wheeling and beyond. People of all ages and backgrounds gather here to create and experience art onstage. At Towngate, you can watch top-notch community theater.  Listen to poetry and spoken word performances. Bring the kiddos to a children's theater production. Attend a ballet. You can take a class or audition for a play. Towngate also showcases improvisational comedy. Local and regional musicians perform on the Towngate stage. You can see movies, too! On select weekends, classic and independent films, thought-provoking documentaries and film shorts by local and regional filmmakers are shown on the big screen.  And changing art exhibits are on display in The Gallery at Towngate. Enjoy hundreds of live performances, concerts, events and classes year-round. 

The Museums of Oglebay Institute   

 Period antiques, glittering glass treasures and heritage activities await visitors at The Museums of Oglebay Institute. Tour a dozen period rooms in the 1846 Mansion Museum, which was the summer home of Cleveland industrialist Earl W. Oglebay. View impressive collections of American furniture, china, glass, pewter, toys and textiles. Explore Wheeling history and learn about the legacy of the Oglebay family.  The Mansion Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was the first accredited museum in West Virginia.  At Oglebay Institute’s Glass Museum, learn about Wheeling’s glass legacy and view a world-class collection of more than 3,500 pieces of Wheeling-made glass and china. The famous Sweeney Punch Bowl, the largest piece of cut glass in the world, is a highlight of the museum. Visitors can also experience the art of glassmaking through live demonstrations and workshops in OI’s glass studio.  

Visit  www.oionline.com  for upcoming events. 

Oglebay Park

Oglebay Park offers year-round activities for you, your family, and your business. From the outdoor enthusiast to the history buff, from the swimmer to the snowboarder, Oglebay truly offers something for everyone. The 1,650-acre park currently incorporates two championship golf courses, two standard courses (9-hole & 18-hole), one par-three course, eleven tennis courts, a large outdoor pool, extensive walking trails, the Good Zoo, a planetarium, the Mansion Museum, Schrader Center, Wilson Lodge, vacation cabins, Schenk Lake, paddle boats, miniature golf, playground, picnic shelters, small ski slope, gardens, greenhouse, mountain biking, and much more.  Oglebay Park is one of the most beloved gems of the greater Wheeling area.

Wheeling Park

 Opening on May 30, 1925, Wheeling Park has matured gracefully. Some of the park's older points of interest still remain: the White Palace (1926), the handsome Sonneborn gates, the impressive "Madonna of the Trail" statue (erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 1928), the charming Frank Rock Garden (created in 1929), the Schwertfeger Shelter (1948) and the Stifel Playground (1948) and the golf course (opening 1926). Construction of the Memorial Ice Rink changed Wheeling Park into a year-round facility when it opened in 1959. The W.E. Stone Memorial Clubhouse and Pool opened in 1968, with a water slide added in 1979. In 1972, a boathouse, dock and miniature golf course was added to the Good Lake, and in the same year, a tennis air dome was erected. The hilltop area at Wheeling Park started its development with Sonneborn Shelter, completed in 1973. Six tennis courts and the Boyce Tennis Shelter were added to the hilltop in 1984, and the soccer field complex was added in the late 1980s. Wheeling Park promotes safe and healthy lifestyles at all areas.

Wheeling Symphony

The Wheeling Symphony Orchestra is a metropolitan class orchestra, with 35 performances annually.  After more than 95 years, the WSO is proud to make Wheeling the smallest city in the United States to boast a symphony of its size and caliber! For a complete schedule of concerts and special events, visit the Wheeling Symphony website, www.wheelingsymphony.org or call 1.800.395.9241.