Tag Archives: waynesboro

Waynesboro Celebrates South River Preserve with Public Dedication

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Image of attendees walking alongside the south river at the dedication event

Waynesboro city representatives and residents gathered on August 21st to celebrate the transformation of the South River Preserve. The public dedication marked the culmination of years of collaborative environmental restoration work.

The project reclaimed portions of Constitution Park, the South River, and former DuPont properties that sat largely unused for more than a decade. What was once a seven-acre asphalt parking lot and degrading picnic area is now a flourishing meadow that welcomes both wildlife and community members.

The South River Preserve exemplifies the remarkable community benefits possible when federal, state, and local partners unite around a shared vision. City Councilman Terry Short praised the collaborative efforts that brought the project to fruition, with key speakers at the dedication including Anne Condon from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Parks and Recreation leaders C. Dwayne Jones and Stephanie Seltzer, Dr. Joe Keiper of the Virginia Natural History Museum, and Lisa Carter from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation.

The project also brought together a team coalition of design and engineering partners, including the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Virginia Department of Natural Resources, Anhold Associates, Timmons Group, and Summit Environmental Services, LLC.

The restoration was funded primarily through a settlement with DuPont that addressed historic mercury releases into the South River, known as the DuPont-Waynesboro Natural Resources Damage Assessment and Restoration (NRDAR) Fund. Additional monetary support came from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission, and Virginia Department of Forestry.

Construction began in late 2023, and the preserve now features:

  • Expansive meadow and forest habitat that supports local ecosystems
  • Fish habitat structures to enhance aquatic life in the South River
  • ADA-compliant river access
  • a Theater for outdoor programming and events
  • Restored streambanks along Rockfish Run
  • Educational interpretive signs developed in partnership with the Virginia Natural History Museum and the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

Rather than a traditional ribbon cutting, the dedication ceremony concluded with a community seed scatter—a fitting symbol for a project designed to help both native plants and community connections take root and flourish.

Recent Flood Mitigation Initiatives in the Region

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Image of a flooded road

July proved to be a busy month for regional flood preparedness efforts, with $652,160 awarded in state funding to regional partners and multiple applications submitted for post-disaster federal funding.

On July 2nd, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced Round 5 awards for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund (CFPF), with three coming to our region:

  • CSPDC received $270,000 to develop a Regional Flood Resilience Plan, with nearly all of our localities participating. This plan will identify and prioritize flood mitigation projects for implementation, ultimately streamlining future grant applications and unlocking additional funding opportunities.
  • City of Waynesboro received $172,160 to update its Stormwater Capital Improvement Plan, building on previous drainage studies to identify and prioritize site-specific stormwater management projects. The plan will also support the city’s Chesapeake Bay water quality requirements.
  • Town of Craigsville received $210,000 to develop a local resilience plan. Through this planning process, the town will gain a more detailed and technical study of flood occurrences and a list of future projects to reduce the impact of flooding.

Several localities in the region have also submitted applications for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) following Hurricane Helene, including:

  • Bath and Highland Counties applied for funds to install a joint enhanced flood monitoring system with 14 real-time stream gauges connecting to West Virginia’s flood warning network, benefiting both local communities and neighboring areas.
  • City of Harrisonburg proposed major upgrades to stormwater infrastructure along the Chicago Avenue and Waterman Drive corridor to address chronic flooding, building damage, and safety hazards for motorists and pedestrians.

Note: Round 6 of the Community Flood Preparedness Fund is expected to open this fall.

Waynesboro Traffic Playground Holds Ribbon Cutting

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On May 3, 2025, the City of Waynesboro held a ribbon cutting for the new Rotary Traffic Playground at 101 Short Street. The facility features a small-scale road network with traffic signs, crosswalks and a roundabout. The Playground is designed for bicycle safety education and serves as a controlled environment where children or new riders can practice cycling skills before transitioning to public roads or the adjacent South River Greenway.

The Rotary Club of Waynesboro, the Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation, and the Central Shenandoah Valley Office on Youth partnered on the Playground. The Shenandoah Valley Art Center created murals for the Playground, while local fourth grade elementary students provided design input that was incorporated into the final layout.

The facility is open to bicycles, scooters, and electric-assist equipment. Users are expected to follow basic traffic rules such as riding on the right side of the road and obeying all posted signs.

For more information about operating hours and rules, visit: https://www.waynesboro.va.us/2275/Rotary-Traffic-Playground