Hearts of Gold Playground Rename

Full Title:
A bill to redesignate a playground in the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in the State of West Virginia as the "Hearts of Gold Playground: In Honor of West Virginia Children and Families Impacted by Childhood Cancer".

Summary#

This bill renames the main playground in the Grandview area of New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (south of the amphitheater) to “Hearts of Gold Playground: In Honor of West Virginia Children and Families Impacted by Childhood Cancer.” The change is a formal renaming: any federal law, map, regulation, or record that refers to that playground will use the new name.

  • Main change: the playground’s official federal name is changed to the longer commemorative name.
  • Scope: the bill only changes the name. It does not change park boundaries, land use, hours, access, or operations in the text provided.
  • Automatic effect: federal documents and records that refer to the playground will be treated as referring to the new name.

What it means for you#

  • Park visitors: Signs, maps, and official materials may eventually show the new name when visiting Grandview in New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
  • Families and communities affected by childhood cancer: The name is intended as an honorific recognition of children and families in West Virginia who have been impacted by childhood cancer.
  • National Park Service (NPS) staff: NPS will need to update internal records, signage, maps, and web content to reflect the new official name.
  • Businesses and map services: Tourist guides, local businesses, and mapping services may update how they label the playground to match federal records.
  • General public: The bill does not change park rules, fees, or services. It only changes the official name used in U.S. government records.

What is unclear:

  • The bill does not state who will pay for new signs, printing, or other updates to reflect the new name.
  • The bill does not create new programs, funding, or services tied to the name change.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

  • The bill text and supplied materials do not include a fiscal note or budget estimate.
  • Possible costs that could result (not specified in the bill): replacing or updating signs, printing new brochures or maps, and updating online materials and databases. These would likely be minor and handled within park or agency budgets unless otherwise assigned.
  • It is not specified whether the federal government, the park, local governments, or private groups will cover any physical signage or dedication costs.

Proponents' View#

  • The bill appears intended to honor and recognize children and families in West Virginia affected by childhood cancer by giving the playground a commemorative name.
  • Supporters may argue that naming a public place is a visible way to acknowledge and raise awareness of the impact of childhood cancer on a local community.
  • The change is limited in scope (a name only) and does not change park operations or land use, which may make it an easy, symbolic action.

Opponents' View#

  • One concern is that the bill does not explain who will pay for costs to update signs, printed materials, and maps; those costs and who bears them are unclear.
  • The bill does not provide details on design, placement, or funding for any dedication or signage, which could create administrative work for the National Park Service.
  • Renaming federal park features can require updates across many records and systems; even if minor, these administrative tasks are not addressed in the text.