Breaking banks for new park along Blacks Run

Sara Versluis

Deconstruction of the artificial bank of Blacks Run, a stream running through downtown Harrisonburg. Two parking lots will become Liberty Park as part of the ongoing revitalization of Blacks Run by the Friends of the Blacks Run Greenway.

Backhoes attacked the artificial bank of Blacks Run in downtown Harrisonburg early Wednesday morning. The machinery, located in a parking lot at the corners of Liberty and Wolfe streets, initiated the development of Harrisonburg's newest greenspace: Liberty Park

Liberty Park is a part of the efforts of the Friends of Blacks Run Greenway (FBRG), a community-based organization. The group formed in 2000 in order to create a multi-use greenway trail along Blacks Run. "We started as a grassroots partnership," said FBRG president Todd Hedinger.

Blacks Run is an 11-mile stream that runs through the city of Harrisonburg. Although its headwaters are located only one mile north of downtown Harrisonburg, by the time it reaches the site of Liberty Park, it is a "dead" stream supporting no benthic life. The only thing living in Blacks Run is bacteria.

Attempts to clean up the stream began in 1989 by the Citizens for Downtown. The formation of FBRG initiated a formal commitment to restore the stream. They aim not only to restore and stabilize the stream, but to build a multi-use greenway trail and parks along Blacks Run as well. An additional part of their mission is to "nurture and maintain healthy, respectful community relationships."

Liberty Park is a "gateway to the greenway." The site of the future park is currently two adjacent parking lots owned by the Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority (HRHA) and the City of Harrisonburg. In 2002, the HRHA contacted FBRG with an interest in creating a "universal garden," a garden accessible to all.

A committee contacted various community members-residents of a local Housing Authority complex, third-graders from Keister Elementary School, and a high school ecology class. "Every step of the way we've tried to make sure everything is open and acceptable," said Hedinger.

The park's final design will accommodate people of all types. There will be raised gardening beds for wheelchair access, and sensory gardens "where touch, taste, and smell lead you to experience the beauty of plants and flowers." The park will be environmentally sound and act as an outdoor classroom, displaying storm water management practices, a rain garden, greenspaces, a vegetated filter strip and a stabilized stream with a floodplain bench.

Wednesday's "bank-breaking" ceremony marked the first step in the park's construction. Concrete walls confine the section of Blacks Run at the future park to a narrow flow. The bank will be scaled back to provide for flood and erosion control, protecting downstream businesses in the event of flooding.

FBRG also held a commitment-making ceremony at the site, extending commitments to the community and the revitalization of Blacks Run. In a step away from the typical ground breaking with shovels, various community members broke wine glasses as a pledge. "This ground has already been broken enough," said Hedinger. Several city officials attended the event, including Mayor Joseph Gus Fitzgerald.

Hedinger spoke of the sense of community he and FBRG had experienced through their efforts. "It's been a real joy," said Hedinger. "I've met hundreds-if not thousands-of people as a result."

The work has not been without its challenges. Garnering funds for the park alone was a large task. Various individuals and companies contributed money, time and in-kind donations. The third graders from Keister Elementary raised $1,000 for the park.

The first phase of the park focuses on the stream restoration. The rest of the park, including two bridges, will be completed later. A completion date is unknown.

Restoration of Blacks Run is no small task. The stream runs directly through downtown Harrisonburg and through a variety of properties. Various stabilization methods must be employed along the stream banks to secure the earth and prevent erosion and flooding.

FBRG's annual cleanup will be held on April 17. The Community Cleanup Day is in its eighth year. Work includes trash collection, trimming, planting, and crew support. All volunteers are welcome.