The project was funded through a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) as part of the Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative. It followed a project McLeod’s students did in the fall of 2024 — funded through the same ARC initiative — developing a community garden in War.
This year’s students joined those from other universities Dec. 5-6, presenting their work to the ARC in Washington.
This year’s project involved three trips to War. The first, during the town’s Fall Festival, was to interview residents about what they’d like to see in a walking and fitness path. It was determined that the best places for a fitness path would be inside the fence line of the community park and playground and through the downtown area.
“We took a second trip down in early October to pitch our ideas to members of the city council and the mayor and came to an agreement on the details,” McLeod said.
The town recently purchased some benches, which dot the walking path, she said. With its ARC funding, the Marshall group was able to purchase even more benches, as well as fitness signs and a larger sign highlighting both the Kiwanis Fitness Path inside the playground/park (where the local Kiwanis Club has done a lot of work) and the Miner City Walking Path (named after the original name of the town).
“There will also be brochure holders installed for local eateries and events. Students in the class designed all of the signs,” McLeod said.
The students visited War the third time during the fall semester to assist with the community’s 3rd Annual Falling Leaves Festival and install the new signs for both paths.
Students involved in the project for the past two years were Sociology as well as Anthropology majors. They included: Russell Fraley, Justin Pullins, Savannah Rice, Kyleigh Hoey, Abigail Carney, Anna Akers and Cecelia Burke. Others involved this year were Evan Ferguson, Kurt Schade and Nico Pace.
For Marshall senior Justin Pullins — who is majoring in Sociology as well as Natural Resources and Recreation Management — experiencing the community of War felt close to home.
“Growing up in a town of fewer than 600 people, I learned early on that community isn’t just a word — it’s a way of life,” Pullins said. “When someone is struggling, you step in. When something needs to be done, you do it together. That very perspective guided me when I joined efforts to bring much-needed aid to the community of War. Like many small towns, War faces the challenges of population decline and limited resources, yet it remains full of heart, history, and resilience.
“My experiences there remind me that true community strength doesn’t come from size or wealth — it comes from connection. Whether it was directing efforts to help rebuild a community garden, designing signs for two new city trails, or simply working alongside residents and listening to their stories, my experience reinforced the fact that lasting impact comes from empathy, connection, and understanding what makes a community unique. In places like War, even modest efforts can restore hope and momentum.”
The projects Pullins has been a part of in War have been a reminder that small towns are the backbone of West Virginia, he said.
“They deserve visibility, investment and compassion,” he said. “Supporting small town communities is not just about meeting needs in the moment, but instead about helping them reclaim the pride and potential that have always defined them.”