Town walking path needs more funding
Steve Plescow, engineer of the Rush River Commons project, presented plans Monday to the Washington Town Council to restore a collapsing stream, fulfilling creator and backer Chuck Akre’s vision of a “green heart” in the center of the development’s campus.
Plescow said the sides of the stream have started to collapse into the waterway, and continued erosion is not good for the surrounding wetlands and downstream environment.
To prevent further erosion, the Rush River team has brought in Ecosystem Services, a company out of Charlottesville that Plescow said employs “experts in wetland management and stream restoration” to assess the stream and remediate the issues.
Any invasive plant species and downed trees will be removed, mostly by hand, and a few trees will be cut down where bridges will be installed, Plescow said. Some areas of the stream that are “deeply incised” will be rerouted to add some flexibility to its flow.
Shallow, rocky areas and other in-stream features will be added, Plescow said, to control the energy of the stream’s water flow and slow down or prevent future erosion.
Once the project is complete, around 300 trees and additional shrubs and smaller plants will be planted to “beef up the wetlands.” Plescow said hopefully, any wetland areas that have shrunk will expand when the restoration is complete.
“We just wanted to be transparent so you know what we’re doing down there once we start and you see people down there,” Plescow said.
Council treasurer Gail Swift, who is a certified naturalist, said she appreciates the work being done to restore the waterway, and that simple changes and additional features are “so critical” to the stream’s health and longevity.
“Everything you’re doing here is incredible, so I want to thank you,” Swift said. “It’s really amazing the detail that’s gone into this. I, selfishly, am excited.”
Work is expected to start early next year.
Walking path update
Vice Mayor Fred Catlin asked if the town could increase its funding of a proposed multi-use trail connecting the historic core of the town to the post office and Rush River Commons to “get going with this whole process.”
Catlin said the grand total for the project is $55,250 after a second proposed bridge was struck from the plans. Catlin has raised around $45,000 in private funds, and asked if the town would consider increasing its commitment of $5,000 to $10,000 to complete the funding.
Mayor Joe Whited said while the town “can certainly afford it,” a public hearing would need to be held before the council can approve increasing its share of the funding. Whited suggested scheduling a formal hearing for January which would also include a “walk through” of the proposal and the trail’s path.
According to Catlin, the proposed trail will start at the intersection of Jett and Gay streets, stretch down the hill then north toward Warren Avenue. Catlin said a boardwalk will be installed over a wetland area, then the path will cross Avon Hall Lane and run along the southside of the stream to Leggett Lane.
Catlin asked if he could motion to allow he or Whited to sign the contract with the builder, Ironwood Outdoors, so that construction can begin, saying that he will personally “guarantee” that the additional $5,000 needed will be raised — even if “it has to come from my own pocket” — if the town does not approve the increase.
Town attorney Martin Crim suggested discussing the possibility of making the contract contingent on raising the last of the funding with the contractor. Catlin said he is also waiting on the final licensing agreement with a property owner whose land the trail will pass over before a final map is released. Catlin said the contractor would like to start construction on the trail this winter.
Ireland Hayes is a reporter for Foothills Forum, a nonprofit organization that supports local news in Rappahannock County.
Washington Town Council, Tuesday, Dec 9, 2024, 7 p.m.
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