River sports park proposed in Shamokin Dam

By Tricia Pursell
The Daily Item

June 30, 2009 05:10 am

— The SEDA-Council of Governments wants to create a river sports park in an area off the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Shamokin Dam as part of a broader riverfront development project.
The Lake Augusta Gateway Project aims to connect Sunbury, Northumberland and Shamokin Dam, and Upper Augusta, Union and Monroe Townships "” all part of the Susquehanna Greenway that includes 500 miles of river and a total of 250 municipalities.
The Greenway includes 10 communities in Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour and Columbia counties.
"Lake Augusta is one of our region's largest environmental assets," said Tom Grbenick, Community Resource Center director for SEDA-COG.
The river sports park, where sections of the old Pennsylvania Canal exist, could be used as an extension of Shikellamy State Park, a place to launch non-motorized boats, and where rowing competitions could be held, Grbenick said.
When the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway is built, the stretch of Route 11 along the lake could become a scenic parkway.
A museum, a restaurant and an auto-based tour of the Greenway could come to fruition as well, he said.
Lake Augusta would be the gateway to a proposed five-county Middle Susquehanna Heritage Area, he said. The lake is formed when the seven bags of the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam are inflated.
The project is expected to receive federal funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission and has already been approved for a $125,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Community Transportation Initiative.
SEDA-COG has received letters of support from Shamokin Dam, Monroe Township, Northumberland borough and Sunbury, but is facing opposition from Snyder County. Grbenick is scheduled to meet with the Snyder County commissioners today.
State Reps. Merle Phillips, R-108 of RD2 Sunbury, and Russell Fairchild, R-85 of Lewisburg, have supported related projects, Grbenick said.
According to Steve Kusheloff, public information manager for SEDA-COG, the project will help the region maintain its character and feature its special qualities.
"Take what's here, take what we already have and develop it, make the most of it," he said.
When people are not taking big trips, they need a recreation space and a hometown holiday space, Kusheloff said.
"It's the exact time to be doing this kind of thing," he said. "You have to have a grand vision and then you can start to fill in the pieces."
Grbenick said project benefits include community revitalization, environmental conservation, awareness and education and healthy and active living.
The larger purpose of this idea, Grbenick said, is to bring the stakeholders together and reach an agreement on a long-term vision to guide development.
"It's going to take a true combination of public and private money," he said.
"This is a big idea," Grbenick acknowledged. "Right now we are in a climate where people aren't necessarily receptive to big ideas. They tend to be more cautious about embarking on new ideas."
Two months ago, the Snyder County Planning Commission advised the county commissioners against supporting the project idea after SEDA-COG presented the plan and asked for a $2,500 contribution for a project study.
"They didn't think it was a good idea," said Kevin Staschiak, county planning director.
Joselyn O'Connor, chairwoman of the Planning Commission, did not return a call for comment.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.