Morgantown Dominion
Post
27 July 2008
By Kathy Plum
Morgantown's Wharf District as seen in aerial view
"I have to give a lot of credit to Florence Merow and some other folks who saw a lot of potential in the riverfront," Morgantown Mayor Ron Justice said.
Merow, 85, recalls that when she first approached her fellow council members in the 1980s about obtaining land along the Monongahela River, they weren't enthusiastic. But she kept pushing then, and when she was elected mayor, "I told the council, 'We have a beautiful natural resource, and we don't do anything with it,' " Merow said.
Early festival planting at site where Hazel Ruby McQuaoin Park is now located
Morgantown now offers a variety of riverside activities within its boundaries. The Caperton Trail follows the river's edge through the Wharf District - a historic warehouse district being regenerated by businesses, including restaurants. All told, about five miles of the city's rail-trail are by the river.
The Boathouse Bistro restaurant is in the area, with boat docks. WVU's Women's Crew keeps its boat here, and Justice said "that will spark an interest in community rowing and getting out on the river."
The trail is surfaced with asphalt within the city limits, and suitable for bicycles and roller blades as well as feet. Outside of town, it has a crushed limestone surface.
Also on the trail is the city's most visible river recreational facility: Hazel Ruby McQuain Park, where a dock, small boat ramp, restrooms, 1,500-seat amphitheater, parking, visitor's center and bus station are available.
BOPARC Director Mark Wise said the amphitheater is rented frequently for music shows and other performances, even a few weddings.
The MEA fishing pier offers anglers year-round opportunities to wet their lines. Waters returning to the river from the Morgantown Energy Associates power plant keep the water warm, attracting fish.
All of this is possible, Justice said, because Merow and other visionaries in Morgantown city government saw more than a weedy, partially fenced area by the rail line on the river.
Merow said she, the city manager and a Region VI Planning Commission representative met in Pittsburgh with the railroad's board of directors. They were able to lease the land for $500 per year, she said.
"They locked up a lease with CSX, then the visioning program started and they already had the lease," Justice said. "I think it just opened everything up, and people started to see all the opportunities in the river."
Those opportunities are expanding. Morgantown is working on a small playground by the Boathouse Bistro. People who use the trail for exercise have asked for a place for young children to play when their parents stop to rest, Justice said. Morgantown does not plan to build a large playground like Star City's Tugboat Depot, because it wants to avoid duplications.
An outdoor fitness center is also under way behind the Bistro.
This summer, for the first time, BOPARC contracted with Tim Terman of Adventures on Magic River to lead kayak trips on the Mon. The 90-minute tours reveal a different side of Morgantown. Wise said because the river is used by commercial traffic, BOPARC likes the idea of guided kayak tours to ensure the safety of participants.
Terman said though high water led to some cancellations, about 40 people had taken the tour by the end of June. Based on his prior experience with the business, by the end of the season in October, he has generally averaged 150 people.
BOPARC's 2002 master plan includes three parks that have river access. In addition to McQuain Park, there is the South University Avenue Park near the Morgantown Lock and Dam and the MEA Fishing Pier. In the six years since the plan was developed, the city has fulfilled most of the goals listed in the plan and work is under way on a new plan.
"The facilities for the most part are in place," Justice said. "Residents have also asked for improvements that will make them feel more secure, such as more lighting and police patrols along the river."
Wise agreed that the next step is to build on what's in place. He talks about a sound booth at the amphitheater, lighting, picnic sites along the river, an overlook deck and erosion protection behind the stage.
Morgantown has also looked at other towns, such as Point Pleasant and Charleston, which are further along in their development of recreation on the river. But they're pleased with how far things have come, the mayor said.
"I don't think any of us could have envisioned how much it would open up opportunities, but I think people are taking advantage of those opportunities," Justice said.
Merow, who lends her name to the annual festival held each year at the river, now lives in one of the new developments alongside it in Morgantown. She no longer has to pull weeds and beg gravel before the festival, but she also wishes more events were held. She can recall water skiing and trips on the Gateway Clipper on the river.
"I believe the river should be used more," Merow said.