The impression measures fourteen inches across, has fully cured, and is now technically permanent. The Paving and Grounds Subcommittee has been convened. Opinions differ.

HARLAN’S CREEK, WV — The Parks and Recreation Department has convened an emergency session of the Paving and Grounds Subcommittee following the discovery of a large bipedal footprint in the freshly poured cement walkway outside the new Harlan’s Creek Recreation Centre, located at 14 Birchwood Drive. The impression, which measures fourteen and a half inches in length and four and three-quarter inches in depth, cured overnight on Wednesday and is now, by all available assessments, permanent.

Contractors from Delmar & Sons Paving, who poured the section on Tuesday afternoon, confirmed the cement had been undisturbed at the time of their departure at approximately 4:45 p.m. The impression was discovered the following morning by Recreation Centre groundskeeper Alvie Potts, 58, who has worked for the department for twenty-two years and described the situation as “not the strangest Thursday I’ve had, but it’s in the top four.”

Community Notice

The Subcommittee Convenes. Agreement Does Not Follow.

The Paving and Grounds Subcommittee met Thursday evening in an unscheduled session to determine the formal designation of the impression. Three classifications are currently under consideration: vandalism, in which case the affected section would be removed and repoured at an estimated cost of $2,400; a historical feature, which would require a protective designation application to be filed with the county heritage office; or a recreational amenity, a classification proposed by Subcommittee member Donna Holt, who noted that the footprint is, in her words, “honestly very impressive” and suggested it could be incorporated into the centre’s opening promotional materials. The subcommittee did not reach a conclusion. A follow-up session has been scheduled for Tuesday.

It’s not vandalism if whatever did it doesn’t have a documented legal identity. That’s just a gap in the ordinance.

— Subcommittee Chair Pat Wenner, Harlan’s Creek Parks and Recreation

Arthur Bellamy, the Department of Cryptid Affairs field representative for Harlan’s Creek, filed a Form DCA-9 Local Incident Supplement on Thursday morning and confirmed the report had been submitted to the regional division office. When asked whether the DCA would be sending a field assessment team, Bellamy said the matter was “under standard review” and that he was “not in a position to comment on resourcing decisions above his level.” He remained on the phone for an additional two minutes without speaking. This network waited. Nothing further was said. The call ended.

Witness Accounts Consistent In Outline, Less So In Detail

Three individuals report seeing a large figure in the vicinity of Birchwood Drive on Tuesday evening. Barry Hutchins, 62, of Sycamore Lane, states he observed a “seven-foot bipedal entity moving at a deliberate pace” past the recreation centre at approximately 9:20 p.m. and that the entity “paused, looked at the building for a moment, and then kept going like it had made a decision.” Hutchins rated his confidence in the sighting as “absolute.” Sandra Okafor, who was walking her dog on Birchwood Drive at approximately the same time and was contacted by this network for comment, stated she had not seen anything unusual. Footage from her phone taken during the walk, which she shared willingly, contains what appears to be a large shape in the background of three consecutive frames. Ms. Okafor has reviewed the footage and maintains she does not see it. A third witness has asked to remain anonymous and described the figure as “bigger than I expected and it seemed annoyed, but maybe that’s just how they look. I don’t know. I’ve never seen one before.”

It paused and looked at the building like it had made a decision. Then it kept going.

— Barry Hutchins, 62, Sycamore Lane — sighting confidence: absolute

Mayor Robert Pruitt issued a statement Friday afternoon describing the situation as “an opportunity for the community to come together and have a thoughtful conversation about what makes Harlan’s Creek special.” He did not specify what the conversation should conclude. Sheriff Calhoun confirmed that her department responded to the site on Thursday morning, that the matter is being handled through appropriate channels, and that residents should continue to use the Birchwood Drive car park as normal, noting that the recreation centre remains on schedule to open next month pending resolution of the walkway classification. She was asked whether the entity might return. She said she was not in a position to speculate. Her expression did not change.

The Paving and Grounds Subcommittee reconvenes Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Parks and Recreation meeting room, Building C of the Municipal Annex. The session is open to the public. Residents with strong opinions about the vandalism classification are encouraged to submit written comments in advance. Residents with opinions about the amenity classification are asked to note that the heritage application process has a six-to-eight month processing window and that the recreation centre opening is in four weeks. The footprint is currently protected by a laminated sign that reads DO NOT TOUCH. The sign was placed by groundskeeper Potts. He paid for the lamination himself. This is Hal Ridgeway. The subcommittee continues to deliberate. Reporting continues.