Wayside Park to Receive New Life

Shannon Kelly | Altavista Journal News Correspondent

A public meeting held Monday evening, September 10, at Hurt Elementary School addressed plans for improvement and restoration of Hurt, Va.’s Wayside Park. Mark Moore, Director for Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation, presented current plans for park improvements.

Wayside Park has existed in the community since the 1980s, according to Moore. Many adults in the community have fond memories of the park in its heyday, playing there as children and some even being baptized in the park’s creek; but over the years, it fell into disrepair. Now, there is a chance to restore the park to its former glory, or better. The community is excited for this long-awaited opportunity. The park was called a “recreation jewel that needs some TLC.” “The county’s only had a parks and recreation department for a little bit less than 8 years,” explains Moore. “So we have an opportunity now to put some county funds into the park, as well as potentially double those funds with some local grants to make some improvements to that park.”

Moore presented his plan in a power point. A playground will be updated, and potentially moved slightly further from the creek for safety reasons. Moore specifically mentioned installing ramps and more swings among general improvements. Moore says that ramps make playgrounds more inclusive to support kids with various disabilities. Wayfinding signage will be added inside the park, as well as adding picnic shelters and re-organizing what Moore describes as a “haphazard” set-up of existing picnic tables to give the park a congruent, aesthetically pleasing layout. There are also plans to re-gravel or pave a pull-off road. Improvements will also be made to “ensure the stability” of the beloved bridge, and stairs will be installed leading up the hill from the bridge to a pavilion. The existing pavilion will be repaired and improved to include new picnic tables and trash cans, receive a concrete pad and grill, will be pressure-washed and stained, and will see 3 additional picnic pods nearby. Moore also plans to bring in new park grills. Existing restrooms will be improved down the road as well. Moore explains that restroom overhauls can be expensive, so more time is required to assess the needs and create an improvement plan. Trail improvements, too, are part of the restoration plan. Existing trails will be cleaned up. Surface improvements to the access road at the back of the park and the existing eagle scout trail along Sycamore Creek will be made.

Over the course of 2 years, Moore estimates a total investment of $150,000 from county funds; with additional anticipated grants, he is hopeful that this amount will be doubled to $300,000. This project will also create one part-time park attendant job.

“We’re doing something that should have been done decades ago,” Moore states.

The improvements are set to begin in early 2019, when all funding is secured. For anyone who wishes to help restore the park, there are many volunteer opportunities coming up. Financial donations are always accepted as well. Contact Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation department if you are interested in volunteering or donating.