Why Bridgeport? What is Essential for City Survival
By Jon Griffith on July 06, 2024 from Why Bridgeport?
What is essential for humans to survive?
There is a considerably large range of answers to this question. At the most fundamental level, the basic needs for human survival are air, shelter, water, and food. I have listed them in order of how quickly we would perish without them. Beyond these foundational requirements, sociologists add clothing, physical space, sleep, transportation, safety, communication, love, education, etc. I don’t fault these assertions at all. Each is important in its unique way and to a varying degree.
Abraham Maslow, the famed American psychologist developed and published his paper “A Theory of Human Motivation” in 1943. His concept is commonly called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It is often depicted as a pyramid with stages beginning with our basic 
physiological needs and building upward toward self-actualization and transcendence.
physiological needs and building upward toward self-actualization and transcendence.
His theory stated humans are motivated to fulfill their most basic physiological needs first. Only once those needs are met can we strive to reach higher stages. Each stage builds upon a solid foundation in the previous stage. Not surprisingly, Maslow’s theories were not included in my chemistry courses at West Virginia University. Instead, my first exposure was in Dr. Jim Priester’s Educational Psychology course at Fairmont State when I sought my secondary school teaching certification. A course, I might add, that turned out to be one of my favorites of all time.
Maslow’s Hierarchy is often taught in business and education programs to help us understand how customers, employees, and students are motivated and what we can do to help them reach their potential. While this is a fairly simplistic view of the complexities of the human brain, emotion, and motivation, it can be a useful tool. While educational and informative, where am I headed with all of this? The answer
may surprise you - Water. 
Water was number three on my list of the four most basic human needs. It is essential for human survival and the City of Bridgeport provides its residents with some of the finest. Something in which our Bridgeport Utility Board, Bridgeport Public Utilities, Bridgeport Public Works, and Bridgeport Engineering Department take great pride.
Beyond the basic physiological need for hydration, water also impacts several other levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy. As we move up Maslow’s chart, safety needs come next. The Bridgeport Fire Department depends on our municipal water that supplies our fire hydrants to protect the city’s people, pets, homes, and businesses. Adequate water volumes and pressures are also essential in the fire suppression systems found in apartment buildings, offices, factories, and other local businesses. Again, the City of Bridgeport’s various departments and staff work hard to ensure these needs are met
Continuing up the pyramid, water can also directly affect our psychological needs. In a variety of ways, water often impacts our social interactions and our self-esteem needs. Few things can calm us like a peaceful lake or a gently babbling brook. Swimming,
fishing, kayaking, boating, etc. provide opportunities to spend time with family and friends. Water is frequently at the center of or near our social gatherings. While West Virginia is a non-coastal state with only one naturally occurring lake (Trout Pond in Hardy County), we have abundant water. Creeks, streams, and rivers flow magnificently across the state’s mountainous terrain, much to the delight of fishermen, boaters, and whitewater thrill seekers. West Virginia is world-renowned for the quality of our whitewater.
Because of all that water, we have created more than 120 man-made lakes and ponds that dot our state’s beautiful landscape. Lakes that provide enormous recreation, socialization, and self-esteem-building opportunities. Two of these lakes are right here in Bridgeport. They
are two of only a handful of municipally owned lakes in West Virginia. Hinkle and Deegan Lakes are located near the southern border of Bridgeport just off Route 58 along Hinkle Lake Road. Nearly eighty years ago, the lakes were constructed as reservoirs to provide the city with drinking water in combination with the Bridgeport water filtration plant. However, due to the continued growth of Bridgeport, the lakes were not large enough to provide sufficient water for the community’s needs. So in 1995, the city began to purchase water from the Clarksburg Water Board and the lakes became part of the Bridgeport Parks & Recreation system.
are two of only a handful of municipally owned lakes in West Virginia. Hinkle and Deegan Lakes are located near the southern border of Bridgeport just off Route 58 along Hinkle Lake Road. Nearly eighty years ago, the lakes were constructed as reservoirs to provide the city with drinking water in combination with the Bridgeport water filtration plant. However, due to the continued growth of Bridgeport, the lakes were not large enough to provide sufficient water for the community’s needs. So in 1995, the city began to purchase water from the Clarksburg Water Board and the lakes became part of the Bridgeport Parks & Recreation system.
Today Hinkle and Deegan Lakes provide a wide variety of recreational activities. You can fish from the banks of the lakes or the recently upgraded, handicapped-accessible dock. Angling participation at the site has seen a noticeable increase with the advent of the WVDNR trout stocking program there. If you want to fish from a canoe or kayak or take a relaxing paddle around the lake, the boat launch site allows you to get into the water easily.
On shore, Hinkle and Deegan Lakes offer many amenities as well. Hinkle and Deegan Lakes Park, and its paved parking lot, reside at the f
ar end of the lakes complex. The park features a picnic shelter, restrooms, charcoal grills, picnic tables, and a playground. There are also four tennis courts located adjacent to the park. The 1.5-mile Lakes Trail begins from the park and travels the length of the lakes. A walk along the trail offers beautiful views of the lakes and takes you past two additional amenities. One already exists and the other is on the way.
ar end of the lakes complex. The park features a picnic shelter, restrooms, charcoal grills, picnic tables, and a playground. There are also four tennis courts located adjacent to the park. The 1.5-mile Lakes Trail begins from the park and travels the length of the lakes. A walk along the trail offers beautiful views of the lakes and takes you past two additional amenities. One already exists and the other is on the way.
The Bridgeport Bark Park is already well-established at the lakes. It is a place for anyone looking to let their pup run and get some exercise. The other is for those of you who want to get some exercise of your own. The new Pickleball facility is being
constructed next to the dog park between the two lakes. Both venues will share an upgraded parking lot.
Yet another amenity sits on the back side of Deegan Lake. 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.
At all levels, water is invaluable in our lives; from hydration and safety to socialization and self-esteem. Water is a crucial component in
fulfilling our basic and psychological needs. In America, communities work hard to provide for the basic needs of their
fulfilling our basic and psychological needs. In America, communities work hard to provide for the basic needs of their
residents. Bridgeport is no exception.
Just as Maslow predicted in individuals, those basic needs must be met first in communities. Then they can work toward higher levels and goals. That is the case with water and many other responsibilities within a city.
Why Bridgeport?
Bridgeport has done an exceptional job of meeting and providing for the basic needs of our community in all aspects of life. We have and continue to move our way up Maslow’s pyramid. We work to supply opportunities for our residents to satisfy their social and self-esteem needs. The ultimate goal in Maslow’s hierarchy is self-actualization. Maslow describes selfactualization as the tendency toward self-fulfillment or achieving your full potential. As a community, we encourage our residents to achieve their best. Many are working very
hard to do just that.
The City of Bridgeport hasn’t reached its full potential yet, so we strive diligently and consistently to reach the top of that pyramid.
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