Why Bridgeport? Before, During Drought Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park Still Great City Outdoor Recreation
By Jon Griffith on September 28, 2024 from Why Bridgeport?
19th-century American author, journalist, and political activist Edward Bellamy said, “If bread is the first necessity of life, recreation is a close second.” While I appreciate his enthusiasm, I am not sure I would go that far, but I agree that recreation is essential to a well-lived life.
Growing up in South Charleston, we didn’t have a lot of recreation facilities nearby. We did have one municipal park close to our house, Joplin Park. It was only a few blocks away and featured a few courts and a small playground. The park was pretty limited.
To the City of South Charleston’s credit, they have done a good job expanding the park through the decades since I grew up there. 
However, the same can’t be said for many areas and communities around our state. Many places suffer from a serious lack of recreation opportunities.
However, the same can’t be said for many areas and communities around our state. Many places suffer from a serious lack of recreation opportunities.
That park, the local elementary school playground, and our small inner city neighborhood yards served us as recreation venues. Not much else was available to us within walking distance. To supplement that limited selection, we frequently played in the streets or the parking lots of nearby churches and businesses. Not an ideal solution.
Fortunately, that is not the case here in the City of Bridgeport. The Bridgeport Parks & Recreation Department, with the cooperation and backing of the City Council, has been working diligently to provide a wide array of recreation opportunities and venues for our residents. Importantly, that mission is still ongoing.
Recreation, particularly outdoor recreation, is consistently cited as one of the key factors in communities achieving a high quality of life in the United States. I have referenced this fact in several of my previous blogs. This trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Bridgeport places great emphasis on creating a high quality of life for our residents. We want great schools, reliable infrastructure,
beautiful neighborhoods, etc. We want that great quality of life for our current residents and to entice new residents to our community.
beautiful neighborhoods, etc. We want that great quality of life for our current residents and to entice new residents to our community.
We need and want the same on the recreation front. The great news is that the efforts of our Parks and Recreation Department over the years continue to help make Bridgeport one of the most desirable places to live in West Virginia.
Today, however, I want to focus on one Bridgeport recreation venue in particular. One that offers an unexpectedly wide range of recreational activities in a relatively small amount of space. It is also one of only a handful of such sites in the state.
There are only a few municipally owned lakes in West Virginia. Deegan and Hinkle Lakes are two of them. Located off of South Virginia Avenue on Hinkle Lake Road, they are the centerpiece of a terrific municipal recreation area.
This year’s severe drought conditions, in combination with the long existing dam seepage, have contributed significantly to lower water levels in Deegan Lake, as it is the upper lake. The low water levels have curtailed some activities on this lake, just as we 
have seen at many lakes across the state this summer.
have seen at many lakes across the state this summer.
However, Hinkle Lake remains in great shape and fully ready for visitors. Potential remediation to the Deegan Lake dam are in the investigative stage. In the meantime, there are plans to improve the usability of the lake, enhance recreational opportunities, and address any other issues while the water is at this low level. Despite the effects of global warming and climate change, the hope is Deegan Lake will return to normal next year.
The lakes themselves offer some great fishing. Understand, I don’t fish. The basis for my fishing aversion is a story for another time. Growing up, however, my kids and their friends would fish there often. The lakes are home to numerous species and are stocked with trout by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources annually.
Anglers can fish from the two dams, the lake shorelines, or the newly upgraded Deegan Lake dock. Another option is to fish from a kayak or small boat, thanks to the convenient boat launch at the Deegan Lake parking lot. There are also restroom facilities located there.
A literal stone’s throw from there, you will find another small parking lot with a playground, picnic pavilion, and four recently resurfaced
tennis courts featuring a new LED lighting system. If these two areas and the lakes were everything located here, it would already be an awesome facility. Yet there is much more.
tennis courts featuring a new LED lighting system. If these two areas and the lakes were everything located here, it would already be an awesome facility. Yet there is much more.
Sitting on the opposite side of Deegan Lake is Lion’s Point. Lion’s Point features a gazebo on a small peninsula with the lake as a beautiful backdrop. The area was developed in a joint venture between the Bridgeport Lion’s Club and Bridgeport Parks & Recreation. It is a frequent destination for family, prom, homecoming, engagement, and wedding photos. It is also another great site for family picnics or just quiet meditation.
On the land between the two lakes, you will find even more opportunities for outdoor activities. The first is the Bridgeport Bark Park. This fenced-in dog park will allow your pet to get out and run. With a water fountain for you and your dog, bench seating, and dog-themed amenities, you and your pet are almost guaranteed to have a good time.
The latest addition to the Deegan & Hinkle Lakes area is our new Pickleball facility. Constructed in response to community demand and 
the nationwide craze, the eight new courts are situated just across the road from the Bridgeport Bark Park.
the nationwide craze, the eight new courts are situated just across the road from the Bridgeport Bark Park.
The venue is still under construction. However, the fencing and LED lighting will be completed any day if they aren’t already. The courts have been poured and are awaiting their surfacing as weather permits. A restroom facility with a seating area and an expanded parking lot are scheduled for completion soon. Again, as weather permits.
Want to play a game of catch, throw a frisbee, or toss around the football? Next to the Pickleball courts is a large grass field for doing just that. It would also be a great place to place a blanket for an informal picnic on the grass.
Want to get in a good walk? Go for a run? Take a ride on your bike? The Lakes Trail connects these recreation sites around Deegan and Hinkle Lakes. The trail itself is dotted with benches and picnic tables at various spots along its path.
That trail, in combination with Deegan Lake Road, nearly encircles both lakes. It also connects to the recently completed Virginia Avenue Trail, allowing you to reach downtown and City Park Trail. 
All of this found in one place? Yes. As you can see, the Deegan and Hinkle Lakes area is not just a couple of lakes. The venue provides significant recreational opportunities in one site for visitors of all ages and interests.
As with any aspect of the city, the City Council, our departments, and our employees always strive to get the most out of what we have to work with. Deegan and Hinkle Lakes are a prime example of that.
Why Bridgeport? Whether you want to engage in some competitive racquet sports, take the family on a picnic, toss around a ball or frisbee, spend some peaceful time fishing or kayaking, get your dog some socialization and exercise, or take a walk or run through some beautiful lakeside scenery, the Deegan and Hinkle Lakes area is made for you.
The City of Bridgeport takes recreation and quality of life seriously. Our mindset Is evident in the large number of parks, the growing number of trails, and the continuing investment in recreation venues across our city. Recreation is never an afterthought here.
Just as Edward Bellamy advocated, recreation is essential to living. We understand that. We embrace it.
Editor's Note: Top two photos show the lakes in late fall as it would typicall look. The remaining photos show amenities available at Deegan & Hinkle Lakes Park.
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