Water access tops Richmond residents' Whitewater Gorge Park wish list

RICHMOND, Ind. — You know the Whitewater River's there.

From some places along its banks, you might hear it and maybe catch a glimpse, but overgrowth obscures scenic views. And river access? It's almost impossible.

That's something residents hope the Whitewater Gorge Activation Plan will change. At least, that's the message received by Richmond Parks and Recreation and consultant Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group from residents on Thursday. About 45 people offered their input during a pop-in opportunity in the Starr-Gennett Building.

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“We really know that that is something that people want and they’re asking for it," said Denise Retz, the city's parks superintendent. "They want to be able to see the waterway. They want to be one with the water, and we’re going to make that happen in the areas that are appropriate.”

The parks department recently received permission to purchase brush-clearing equipment that will help eliminate honeysuckle and small trees that hide the river along the Whitewater Gorge Park's 100 acres between Test and Waterfall roads. When that's accomplished and Weir Dam is removed this year, options such as canoeing and kayaking could become possible.

“I think it’s been important to hear from people that they’re really looking just for a way to interact with the water," said Maria Wainscott, an urban designer and graduate landscape architect with Taylor Siefker Williams. "That’s been the biggest thing we’ve heard, and it's good to see that reinforcement in the community.”

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Wainscott said residents attending Thursday's event also want safe, accessible walking trails and interaction with the area's history.

Ambitious ideas

Gwen Halsted, who lives near the gorge, was one of those people. She suggested the Starr-Gennett Walk of Fame include QR codes that enable the performers' music be played on phones.

Halsted said she regularly utilizes the gorge and its trails, and features that her 4-year-old granddaughter could enjoy when visiting also interest her.

“It’s nice to have the possibility of more kid-friendly activities along the gorge trail," Halsted said. "The possibility of treehouses and climbing walls and such will be fun for kids.

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“For myself, honestly, I like to keep it wild, but I’m glad there are opportunities for boating and kid-play areas along the trail.”

Thomas Hill, the coordinator for the Wayne County Section of the Cardinal Greenway, also likes featuring the area's nature.

“I think the elements that focus on maintaining the integrity of the natural space really stand out for me,” he said.

Hill said he uses the trails almost daily, and, of course, is interested in trail improvements and especially trail connectivity with the city.

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“I think that’s a really important aspect to make a project like this successful,” he said.

Both Halsted and Hill appreciated the opportunity to provide their input.

“I’m glad that they’re asking for public input," Halsted said. "It sounds like they have a lot of good ideas. Some of them seem really ambitious and creative, but that’s good to start big and then work to what’s possible with the money at hand.”

Hill and Wainscott spoke as they looked at a map diagramming how features could fit into the park.

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“I was curious to see what everyone was planning, to see what ideas were being thrown around," he said. "I think there are a lot of really interesting ideas.”

'A true gem for the area'

The open house-style event was organized in stations that enabled feedback, mainly using small, round stickers. For example, four boards organized by category displayed park choices with photographs showing other communities' examples. Stickers were placed to identify preferred options.

The first board included active recreation activities, such as ziplining and an aerial adventure course, a bridge climbing wall, a nature playground, a nature spray ground, canoe and kayak launch sites and primitive camping.

The passive recreation board's activities included treehouses, a boardwalk and overlook, public art, a floral team meadow, "ghost" structures and a virtual tour.

Possible trail improvements included a high trestle trail, a trail bridge, surface improvements, trail connectivity, pedestrian rest nodes and wayfinding signage.

Suggested park facilities included an amphitheater and performance lawn, an adventure hub, a picnic shelter, a garage snack bar, Starr-Gennett Building improvements and a garage mural at Bicentennial Park.

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Attendees were asked to identify which categories they'd prefer receive initial funding.

Participants' suggestions filled a final "tell us" board. Posted sticky notes advocated for enhancing water access, trail improvements and lighting, utilizing the natural environment, a zipline and an ice skating area.

Wainscott was excited by the public response.

“It’s great to see everybody come out and give their input about the park," she said. "It’s a gem, a true gem for the area. It’s exciting to see so many people interested in activating the gorge and the connectivity.”

The turnout also pleased Retz.

“It was awesome to see how many people came out to share their input and have a voice on what is going to be the next phase for the gorge," she said. "There are so many things that have been done here that have been great, and we can just continue to grow upon what’s been done.”

Fixes first, then improvements and additions

Retz said partnering with the Starr-Gennett Foundation to repair and appropriately install Walk of Fame medallions is a priority. Repairing the Whitewater Gorge Trail, the city's oldest trail, also ranks among initial priorities. And, of course, opening the water.

“That’s really the first step is not getting into anything new until we’ve fixed what we need fixed and then improving and adding,” Retz said.

On Monday, she will ask permission from Richmond Common Council to submit a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant application to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. The $500,000 grant would require a $500,000 city match, and Retz said it's a stringent grant process.

That grant is one tool in the parks department's toolbox. Others include future available grants and possible third-party partnerships for features such as a zipline and canoe and kayak rentals. The East Central Indiana Regional Partnership also continues considering whether the activation project could receive some of its $15 million Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative money.

For now, residents' input Thursday will shape the continued planning, and it demonstrates their interest in the gorge's future.

“I like that I’m seeing progress," Retz said. "I’m liking that I’m having this many people come and voice their needs and wants for the gorge.”

This article originally appeared on Richmond Palladium-Item: Whitewater Gorge Activation Plan: Richmond residents want water access