DuPont’s former picnic area and seven-acre asphalt parking lot along the South River in Waynesboro has been transformed into meadow and forest habitat.
City officials will officially dedicate the South River Preserve on Thursday at 1:30 p.m., and the public is invited.
In place of a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, a community seed scatter will take place. The event will also feature guest speakers and a guided walking tour.
Parking for the event is available at 101 Short Street.
The South River Preserve project reclaims portions of Constitution Park, the South River and the DuPont properties which have been largely unused for more than a decade.
“What was once a forgotten, deteriorating space is now vibrant with color and life,” said Stephanie Seltzer, project manager with the Waynesboro Department of Parks and Recreation.
Construction began in late 2023 and was completed in this spring.
Highlights include new meadow and forest habitat, fish habitat structures, ADA-accessible river access, a river theater and restored streambanks along Rockfish Run.
Key features of the project include:
- Habitat restoration: Five acres of asphalt were converted into meadows and forested areas, reducing impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff.
- Green infrastructure: Planting beds were added to the remaining parking area to further slow and filter runoff.
- River improvements: In-stream structures were installed to enhance fish habitat and recreational fishing. Several new river access points were added, including an ADA-accessible launch and a river theater.
- Water quality enhancements: Streambank restoration on Rockfish Run helps slow stormwater, reduce turbidity, and improve water quality before it enters the South River.
Greenway users were disappointed when it closed during construction, but Seltzer thinks the results made the temporary closure worth it.
“Since reopening, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Seltzer. “The whole vibe of the space has changed.”
The transformation was funded primarily through a settlement with DuPont, which addressed historic mercury releases into the South River.
The South River Preserve is open year-round in conjunction with the South River Greenway which is used by approximately 60,000 visitors annually.
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Crystal Graham
