PIcture families biking along trails, birdwatchers on early morning hikes, spirited children frolicking in adventure play areas, ball fields surrounded by cheering people, kayaking and fishing on a peaceful lake, and summer movie nights on the grass under a starry sky. The future Wisecarver Recreation Area plans to bring all these things to Greene County.
The County of Greene has formed a partnership with the Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority and entered a 99-year agreement leasing acreage on Water Dam Road. Mackin Engineering, a multi-disciplinary engineering and consulting firm, is planning a recreation space near the Wisecarver Reservoir. Previous meetings this year initiated the development, shared interview findings, site analysis and mapping, and a discussion of priority projects and programming exercises. The first week of May, a third meeting was held to discuss conceptual master plans for development.
The community has expressed significant interest in the project. During the interviews, the most-requested amenities are multi-use trails, an ADA accessible boat and paddle sports launch, environmental education, event and camping space, and an ADA accessible fishing pier. Water access is the number one requested amenity.
The conceptual master plan shows five potential areas for development, on both sides of Water Dam Road. A trail system will cover the majority of the grounds, on both sides of the road. The concept includes almost seven miles of walking trails, with 2.25 miles of ADA accessible trails. The north end of the property, near the reservoir, shows a nature area with bird blinds, a nature center, a wetland interpretive walk, nearby overnight group camping. On the south end of the reservoir, space has been allotted for an ADA accessible boat and paddle sports launch, an ADA accessible fishing pier, ball fields, athletic fields, a sledding hill, bicycle track, playgrounds, and an event space below the reservoir’s dam. Multiple kayak launch pots will be found along the east side of the reservoir. Across Water Dam Road and towards the north of the property, an archery range and 3D field range. Multiple parking lots would provide access to trail heads and amenities.
The Wisecarver area is 360-acres of land, surrounding an 18.5-acre lake. Wisecarver Reservoir was created in 1931 with the construction of a dam on Wisecarver Run. The dam was built by the Waynesburg Water Co.; the company was later purchased by the Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority in the late 1960s. The SPWA stopped using the reservoir for water supply in the early 1990s and the property remained open for fishing. Discussion for improvement began in 2005 with the involvement of the Ryerson Station Duke Lake Task force but was put on hold when an inspection revealed the dam was in need of repairs. In 2009, a $2.4 million state grant was received to repair the dam. The repairs began in 2011 and were completed in 2012. During the past few years, new plans were crafted for the area, and grants acquired to begin construction.
Previously, the County had received funding from a state investment and grants. The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Grant money was received for the construction of an access drive, parking area, pedestrian walkways, softball fields, kayak launch and stormwater management measures.; Bids for the construction of phase one are currently under review. Earthwork should begin early this summer. Follow-on phases are currently being discussed, planned and finalized. Contracts for follow-on phases will be bid upon receipt of additional funding.
The County hopes to partner with local organizations and businesses for support with funding planned projects and creating programming. Would you like to share your opinion on or be involved with the Wisecarver Recreation Area project? Contact the Greene County Commissioners at 724-852-5210 or find them on Facebook @GreeneCountyCommissioners.