Recreation
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New Images of Proposed (Privately Funded) Downtown Park |
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 I'm going to let these images speak for themselves (in a moment) but wanted to provide the update that plans are still progressing for a proposed privately funded park in downtown Harrisonburg. As per the Daily News Record earlier this week.... "The proposed park, with council's approval, would be built on city- owned land west of City Hall on South Main Street, stretching across the grassy area to South Liberty Street. It would include and expand the Harrisonburg Farmers Market's Turner Pavilion and stretch south to include Warren Street and a gravel parking lot." Read the entire Daily News Record article here. Download the higher resolution photos here: Watch a video walk through of the park here. (scroll down) Or, enjoy these photos.... (full disclosure, I am on the board for Build Our Park)            | |
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City Council to Examine Plan to Build Downtown Park |
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 Harrisonburg City Council has agreed to further explore an unsolicited proposal to build a downtown park from Build Our Park, a community-led nonprofit organization committed to facilitating the creation of a public park in downtown Harrisonburg. Full disclosure - I serve on the board of Build Our Park.  This new downtown park would be built on 1.2 acres of City-owned property directly adjacent to the Harrisonburg Farmers Market pavilion and the City Hall Building parking lot, featuring amenities including:
During the next 45 days, City staff will review the proposed project and can receive additional competing proposals for building this downtown park. After 45 days, the City will decide to either proceed with the second review stage or to not proceed further with the proposal. If the City ultimately decides to work with Build Our Park on the project, they will enter into a comprehensive agreement where details will be determined regarding potential bonds, insurance, and terms and conditions. A group of Harrisonburg stakeholders formed in 2013 with the goal of facilitating the creation of a public park in downtown Harrisonburg. Originally known as Plan Our Park, the group rebranded and formed the nonprofit organization Build Our Park. In 2017, in order to balance parking needs and the desire for a community recreation amenity, the City directed Build Our Park to redesign its park concept to fit in the space behind City Hall between the Turner Pavilion and the tree line south of the Pavilion. Local architects who are members of the Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance Design Committee, Adam Steiniger of Eugene Stoltzfus Architects and Randy Seitz of Blue Ridge Architects, volunteered to create the final concept design plan that the PPEA proposes. The Build Our Park Board of Directors has been working with City staff to plan the park's new design and would continue to work with them to plan the park's construction as well as on-going maintenance and operations. During this process, fundraising for the park has been on hold. On April 18, the organization looks forward to restarting its fund- raising effort in conjunction with The Community Foundation's Great Community Give. The Great Community Give is a single day of giving aimed at promoting charitable giving in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Through this initiative, the entire community will be invited to support Build Our Park and other nonprofits that meet needs, enrich lives, and build a community we can all enjoy. As Harrisonburg's downtown continues its reemergence as a dynamic environment in which to live, work, eat and shop, the thoughts of many have turned to the need for more public green space for gathering in the City's core. The downtown park's concept features a multi-use path, expanded pavilion, open space, play area designed to resemble nature, pergolas for shade, and splash fountains. It will incorporate the area adjacent to the Turner Pavilion that currently is used for community programming and events. The park would be designed to be flexible to accommodate a growing farmers market, public events, community gatherings, and wellness. Learn more about this potential future downtown park at BuildOurPark.org. | |
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High Level Overview of Albert Long Park |
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 click here for a larger version of this image While you might not know it from driving by on Route 33 East, construction is steadily moving along on Albert Long Park, located on the North side of Route 33 just before Indian Trail Road / Cross Keys Road when heading away from Harrisonburg. I don't have any specific updates on the park plans or timeline other than having noticed (from Indian Trail Road) that the site work and development of the park is progressing nicely. Below is the Master Plan for the park as approved in 2014.  click here to download the Master Plan as a PDF | |
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Mountaintop Retreat with Cabin, Canyon, River, on 46 Acres in Craigsville, VA |
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 I have spent many a fun filled weekend in this cabin located just under an hour south of Harrisonburg off of Route 42, in Craigsville, VA -- and now you have the opportunity to form your cherished family memories on this amazing property. This mountaintop retreat features a recently built two bedroom cabin with a finished loft on 46 wooded acres with a trail through the property to a canyon and river, both also on the property! Enjoy hunting, fishing, hiking, bird watching, and much more in a peaceful setting within an hour of Harrisonburg and Charlottesville. This custom built cabin features a great room with vaulted ceiling, two bedrooms, a full bathroom, a large loft area, a covered porch, and features hardwood floors and beautiful wood trim and finishes throughout the home. Enjoy fishing in Little Calf Pasture River on the lower section of the 46 acre tract, accessible by hiking down the property, or by driving in on an access maintained by the home owners association.  Can you spot the cabin in the photo above? It is toward the top of the wooded area shown above. This 46 acre parcel is mostly wooded, and not all of it is shown in the photo above.  Fishing anyone? This river runs along the bottom of the property, and is accessible via a trail down from the cabin, or along a separate road that runs along the bottom of this property. A short walk from this river, you'll find a beautiful rock face forming a canyon wall of sorts.  Can you picture the fun times had in this cabin featuring two bedrooms, a full bathroom plus an upper level loft?  You'll find plenty of space for relaxing on the covered front porch of this cabin, complete with swing. Find out more about this amazing property at CraigsvilleRetreat.com. | |
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Make your voice heard in the updated Comprehensive Plan for the City of Harrisonburg |
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 The City of Harrisonburg is in the midst of updating the Comprehensive Plan for the City. As per the City.... The Comprehensive Plan presents a vision of Harrisonburg's future. It identifies steps to move toward that vision by providing information about current conditions, long-term goals and objectives, and recommended implementation strategies. As described in the Code of Virginia, the Comprehensive Plan is general in nature. Harrisonburg's Plan addresses a wide range of issues including but not limited to: land use, housing, education, transportation, recreation, the preservation of historic and natural resources, and economic development. The plan serves as a long-term guide for the community, and it helps City leaders with setting policies and decision-making. So, basically, what do you want the City of Harrisonburg to be in 10 or 20 years? Discussions taking place and decisions being made right now will affect that future, and you have the opportunity to be a part of the conversation! Better yet -- there are several Public Workshops coming up that will allow you to chime in on topics near and dear to your heart.... Education; Arts, Culture, and Historic Resources; and Community Engagement & CollaborationSo, mark your calendars, and get involved in the discussions and decisions to help shape the future our our great City! Also of note.... Lots of Q&A's about the Comprehensive Plan update can be found here. General information about the Comprehensive Plan update can be found here. | |
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Campaign Launches to Build Park in Downtown Harrisonburg |
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 The fundraising campaign for building a park in Downtown Harrisonburg kicked off last evening with an event at Pale Fire Brewing Co. with the exciting announcement that $500,000 has already been raised for the project! The park is estimated to cost $5.5 million to be built, and will be built on 4.2 acres of city-owned land including the municipal parking lot on South Liberty Street, the Harrisonburg Farmer's Market Turner Pavilion and the grassy lawn area next to the parking lot. Construction on the park is expected to start in 2017. View the layout of the park and learn about opportunities to support this effort by visiting BuildOurPark.org. Read today's Daily News Record article here. | |
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The brand new Massanutten Bike Park is fantastic! |
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 A brand new bike park with a lift system recently opened at Massanutten Resort, and Luke and I decided to go check out this past weekend. It was a blast! Admittedly, Luke crashed on his first run, sliding off of the side of a trail and tumbled down a rocky embankment (or a cliff, as the story is told) but he didn't break any bones and we had multiple successful runs later in the day, even if at a more moderate speed. There are a variety of trails for different skill levels, and one of the most enjoyable aspects is that the ski lift will carry your bike up the mountain for you to start each run....  Read more about the new bike park via this Daily News Record article, a few excerpts of which are below.... The park features six trails along four levels of difficulties. Five are open for use and the sixth should be finished by the end of August, said Kenny Hess, Massanutten's director of sports and risk management.I expect that Luke and I will be going back again soon for another afternoon of biking and I encourage you to check it out as well. Plan your visit to the Massanutten Bike Park by checking out their hours, rates, etc. here. | |
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Support youth biking AND (possibly) win a very cool bike for yourself |
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 Do you think kids should be active, playing outside, riding bikes (among other things)? I do. As such, I am supporting the ShenRock Mountain Bike team by purchasing a raffle ticket to win the bike pictured above. The details.... The ShenRock Mountain Bike Team is an interscholastic youth mountain bike team in the Shenandoah Valley consisting of boys and girls from local public, private, and home schools that participates in friendly and competitive mountain bike events against other surrounding teams....  The raffle is being run by Bluestone Bike & Run -- a local bike shop and running store. Check out the raffle here. | |
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Massanutten Resort announces Bike Park to open in 2016 |
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 Big news for off road biking enthusiasts! Development and construction of a new bike park are underway, with a mid-summer opening date. And....wait for it....it will be served by a bike lift. Ride the lift to the top, with your bike, and race on back down! Read more.... BREAKING: Massanutten Announces Virginia Bike Park (North America's Mountain Bike Resort Website) Massanutten Bike Park (Massanutten Resort) | |
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4.2 Acre, $5.5 Million Park planned for downtown Harrisonburg |
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 A 4.2 Acre, $5.5 Million Park is planned for downtown Harrisonburg, the potential layout of which is shown above. Click any of the images above/below for a larger/clearer version. Read more about the park and its status in last week's Daily News Record article, an excerpt of which follows.... "It [the park] would include a ship-themed children's play area, a "great lawn" that would host events and performances, and a broad tree-lined promenade arching from South Liberty Street south of the Turner Pavilion to Bruce Street at Blacks Run." Connect with the group behind this effort, Plan Our Park, via Facebook.   | |
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No Grocery Store? Yes, Conference Center? Ruff Ruff! |
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 PROPOSED GROCERY STORE ON HOLD Per today's Daily News Record, the grocery store proposed to be built on the corner of North Main Street and Mt Clinton Pike may not be built after all -- or at least, the rezoning request has been put on hold. Read more in today's Daily News Record. DOWNTOWN HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER DISCUSSED AGAIN Plans for a Hotel and Conference Center intended to be built for downtown Harrisonburg as a partnership between a private developer, JMU, and the City of Harrisonburg may be coming back to life. The matter will be discussed anew at Tuesday's City Council meeting. Here's the history of this topic, including an article from last Friday....
CITY DOG PARK OPENS Stop by Smithland Road to visit the new City Dog Park, or read all about it in last week's Daily News Record article. | |
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New Indoor Soccer Facility in Harrisonburg, VA |
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 Have you heard about Harrisonburg's new Indoor Soccer Facility? Located on Acorn Drive, this is a top-notch indoor soccer facility, complete with field turf, dasher boards, and built in goals, for use by the community both in the form of organized soccer leagues throughout the fall, winter, and spring as well as potential pick up play and rental options. Learn more about this facility and Mike Martin (the owner) and Next Level Athletic Development (his company) on their Facebook page or website. | |
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New Park in Bridgewater, VA to Feature Skating Rink, Farmers Market, Restaurant |
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 As reported in the Daily News Record today, the Town of Bridgewater is moving forward with the development of a new park on Main Street that will feature a skating rink (in the colder months), a farmers market (in the warmer months), and if all goes well, a restaurant. Click here to read more via the DNR. | |
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Update on future park for downtown Harrisonburg |
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 If you haven't heard about it yet, downtown Harrisonburg might feature a park in the near future. Here are several updates to bring you up to speed, and to get you connected if you are interested in participating in the planning process or in making this a reality.... Update from Eddie Bumbaugh, and Harrisonburg Downtown Renaissance.... The Plan Our Park Committee recently hired a team of professionals to invite the public and city officials to provide input on the proposed park concept, produce park conceptual drawings, develop park operational recommendations, and conduct a feasibility study. The study area includes not only possible park footprint options, but the impact and interrelationship with surrounding projects and properties. [ read more ]Review of Public Charrettes Plan Our Park Facebook Page WMRA's Martha Woodroof interviews Plan Our Park's Ken Smith. | |
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Cool Aerials from Google Maps: JMU University Park |
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You may have driven by this new complex (corner of Port Republic Road and Neff Avenue) but have you seen the full scope of it?  I had driven by University Park countless times, but until my son participated in a soccer camp earlier this month with Shenandaoh Valley United, I had never seen the facility in person. This is an amazing multi-field complex, offering both grass and FieldTurf practice field as well as a finely-manicured game-playing surface of natural grass. JMU Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer, Men's Soccer and Women's Cross Country/Track & Field programs compete at this location. Click here for a map of the complex. | |
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You can help PLAN OUR PARK! |
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Mark your calendars.... Public meetings & charettes City Council Chambers at 409 S. Main St. Wednesday, July 31, 3-5 pm AND 7-9 pm Give Input! The design team, which is composed of eight local, regional, and national firms representing multiple disciplines, will hold two public meetings and design charrettes (designers discuss solutions for park). Presentation of initial findings and next steps City Council Chambers at 409 S. Main St. Saturday, August 3, 9:30 am Learn more! This follow-up meeting will present initial findings and inform the public of the next steps in the park process. Come on out and take an active role in helping to shape our community! Visit the Plan Our Park Facebook page for more details. | |
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New City Park for Downtown Harrisonburg? |
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 A design team is studying the possibility of a new park in Downtown Harrisonburg, and the scope of the project seems to be expanding with the announcement that an option has been negotiated to purchase Lindsey Funeral Home, which is located adjacent to several other City properties including Community Development, the Municipal Building and Turner Pavilion. Below is a map I put together based on the information I have been able to gather thus far. Click on the map for a larger image.  Read more about the park the option to purchase Lindsey Funeral Home in this recent DNR article.... HARRISONBURG — A committee pitching an urban park in downtown Harrisonburg announced Friday a privately negotiated option to purchase Lindsey Funeral Home on South Main Street, which could create a larger layout for the proposed attraction. | |
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Ramblewood Park in Harrisonburg gets a makeover to include softball fields, soccer fields, dog park, disc golf, skateboard park and biking trails! |
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 Have you driven by Ramblewood Park lately? It's gone! The City is in the early stages of re-vamping Ramblewood Park, which currently involves recapping the closed landfill cells within the property. Some pertinent details about the makeover of Ramblewood Park include:
The master plan for Ramblewood Park includes:
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Scott Rogers
Funkhouser Real
Estate Group
540-578-0102
scott@funkhousergroup.com
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