Why Bridgeport? A Community for All Age Groups
By Jon Griffith on November 09, 2024 from Why Bridgeport?
I regard the City of Bridgeport as a community for all ages.
What do I mean by that? A community for all ages creates and fosters an active, welcoming, and caring city that promotes respect, 
inclusion, and well-being to improve the quality of life for all residents of all ages.
inclusion, and well-being to improve the quality of life for all residents of all ages.
A common complaint in a small town is that there is nothing to do. I occasionally hear that sentiment expressed by residents of Bridgeport as well. Their lament is usually that there isn’t much here for either kids, teens, adults, families, or seniors. Let me assure you that is not the case for any of those groups.
Our municipal employees, the mayor, and the city council work hard to ensure that each group is well served. Our churches, schools, community groups, and fraternal organizations contribute significantly to this cause. As I wrote this blog, I faced a major challenge: sorting through and organizing all the activities and opportunities in Bridgeport. It was overwhelming.
To start, let’s look at our youth. Our community is brimming with options for our youngest residents. From playgrounds to programs, there is always something to do. Bridgeport boasts ten playgrounds between the city, the school system, and our developments. The Inclusive Playground, currently under construction at the Bridge, adds one more.
The Bridgeport Public Library offers programs for youth of all ages. The staff also delivers a large selection of programs for adults and seniors. Over the past year, the library provided nearly 700 programs and activities.
The plethora of youth sports available in Bridgeport is amazing. There are club, rec, travel, and school sports teams for toddlers to teens, 
featuring multiple sports each season. Take a trip up to the Bridge, City Park, or Wayne Jamison Field any afternoon or evening and marvel at the number of kids involved in different sports across our city.
featuring multiple sports each season. Take a trip up to the Bridge, City Park, or Wayne Jamison Field any afternoon or evening and marvel at the number of kids involved in different sports across our city.
The opening of the Hive Entertainment Zone at Meadowbrook Mall in the coming days will add another entertainment option to the city. Billed as the largest trampoline park in West Virginia, the more than 50,000-square-foot facility will boast more than trampolines. The site will feature attractions like tumble tracks, a ninja course, laser tag, dodgeball, a climbing wall, and more. In addition, a dining area, private rooms, and a large video game space will also be available.
In addition to sports, our schools and churches provide plenty of opportunities for youth to become involved in music and theatrical productions. Many of those talented young people get their musical start as toddlers attending KIndermusic with Carla. Growing up in Bridgeport, my children frequently participated in church and school plays. 
Our young residents with special needs are also included in activities. The Challenger League baseball program is one great example. My teams at BHS were always open to all students regardless of ability level or special need. Bridgeport has always been at the forefront of inclusion in our schools and athletics. The new Inclusive Playground is another piece of evidence to support that claim.
These events for the under-18 crowd usually involve parents and family members watching or participating as volunteers, coaches, instructors, directors, or serving in some other supporting role. However, they are not limited to merely being spectators.
As I noted earlier, many of the library’s programs and activities are directed toward our over-18 demographic. The library works very hard 
to ensure that every age group in our community is considered.
to ensure that every age group in our community is considered.
The Bridge also offers many opportunities for adults in our city. Adult sports leagues, a workout facility, the indoor walking/jogging track, the pool, etc. combine to provide lots of options. Additionally, they sponsor events like the recent Murder Mystery Dinner and MMA Fight Night as unique night-out destinations.
The city’s fraternal organizations add to the social and volunteer activities. The Woman’s Club, Junior Woman’s Club, and Lions Club, to name a few, are tremendous assets to the community. Their service projects are invaluable to the city and our residents while providing members with plenty of networking and fellowship.
The same is true of the many groups that function as a part of our various churches and houses of faith. One of the most visible outreach programs these groups participate in is Shepherd’s Corner. Shepherd’s Corner is a multi-denominational effort to provide for the less fortunate in our community. It operates with assistance from the fraternal organizations I mentioned earlier.
Our senior population is very active and visible throughout the city. Seniors in our community participate in most, if not all, of the groups, functions, and programs listed above. However, they do have some events and groups that are unique to them. 
The Bridgeport Satellite of the Harrison County Senior Citizens Center meets monthly for a luncheon and program at the Benedum Civic Center. The Bridge offers another monthly event called Prime Timers. The Prime Timers program is seasonally themed and features lunch, games, activities, and more.
Many of our seniors are dedicated to serving the community as volunteers. The Volunteers In Police Service allows residents to work with our municipal law enforcement officers to assist with traffic control and other functions to assist them in their mission. The schools also employ the assistance of seniors as office and classroom volunteers.
As you can see, there is plenty of overlap between the various age groups in many of these programs and activities. There are many more things to do in Bridgeport that are not categorizeable by age, no matter how hard I have worked to do so here.
Multigenerational events, activities, and venues abound in Bridgeport. Light Up Night, Summer Kickoff, National Night Out, and the Derek Hotsinpiller Fallen Stars 5K represent events that fall into that category. The Farmer’s Market, Cars & Coffee, the Homecoming and 
Christmas Parades, Carl Hopkins Aviation Expo, and the various Trunk or Treat’s also should be included. This is only a partial list.
Christmas Parades, Carl Hopkins Aviation Expo, and the various Trunk or Treat’s also should be included. This is only a partial list.
Let’s not forget outdoor recreation. I have done several blogs on the topic, but it bears repeating. Deegan and Hinkle Lakes, Bridgeport City Pool, our parks, and our trail system provide ample opportunities for walking, jogging, biking, fishing, boating, swimming, picnics, pickleball, tennis, basketball, sand volleyball, and so much more.
Next week, the ice skating rink will begin operations for those looking for a great wintertime outdoor venue. The rink is located next to the Benedum Civic Center in downtown Bridgeport.
As presented here, the list of things happening in Bridgeport is far from the full picture. I have only scratched the surface. The Connect Bridgeport staff and your patience require me to place a limit on my ramblings. Understandably so, and a limit that I may have already exceeded.
Why Bridgeport? It doesn’t matter what stage of life you are in, Bridgeport is here for you. Whatever your hobbies, passions, or interests are, there is a good chance we already have activities or groups for you, are in the process of creating them, or are planning to bring them
to our community soon. If not, we are always willing to listen and consider adding them to the significant list of things going on in Bridgeport.
to our community soon. If not, we are always willing to listen and consider adding them to the significant list of things going on in Bridgeport.
Bridgeport’s power and essence lie in our willingness to provide opportunities for growth, support our residents, welcome our visitors, and constantly strive to improve our community’s quality of life. We do this regardless of a person's age or background. We do this respectfully and without judgment. We do this like a family would for one of its own.
We truly are a community for all ages and all people.
Editor's Note: Photos show activities from city playgrounds, to the new pickleball courts and the VIPS, to activities at National Night Out.
.jpg)
Leave a Comment
Log in or create an account to post a comment.