May 18, 2016 3 min read

WIND RIDGE – Funding for the initial design work to reshape Ryerson Station State Park is expected to be allocated later this year, with some construction and renovations possibly beginning as early as next year.

Officials with the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources visited the park in Richhill Township on Tuesday to discuss preliminary plans for the first phase of the project.

“We’re at a concept point,” DCNR Bureau of State Parks Director John Hallas told the crowd of 40 people who attended. “These processes take time, the design takes time and getting it right is important.”

Hallas said legislation in 2006 and 2013 designated a total of $49.8 million to be used at Ryerson. About $10 million of that was used for Duke Lake’s sediment removal and for the initial redesign of the dam, but the DCNR announced last July it could not rebuild the dam because of continued ground movement near the park.

Another $2 million will be used on campground improvements, including new shower facilities that are expected to go to bid this year.

Hallas said that leaves about $38.5 million for the park’s overall reconstruction and DCNR will request $9 million be released for the 2016-17 fiscal year to be used on the park’s redesign, consulting and a possible start of construction to renovate the pool complex.

Hallas said the money for the overall project will be released in four to six phases, which will be spent on different areas of the park. They do not yet have a timeline for the overall project or what amenities will be included.

During the meeting Tuesday, DCNR Regional Manager Jeremy Rekich discussed how the department engaged the public to develop concepts and determine what new features people want to see at the park.

He said they received 516 surveys, a majority of which were from Greene County residents. The department also held public meetings last year to collect public input.

Park Manager Alan Johnson said he reached out to the county’s school districts to get input from the “next generation of park users,” and Jefferson-Morgan High School students toured the park to offer suggestions.

Rekich said the result of their community engagement told them people want to see fishing and hunting opportunities restored at the park, along with paved trails, campground improvements, pool renovations, horse trails and group hikes and other events.

Most of the 40 people who attended the meeting Tueasday said they were looking forward to seeing positive changes at the park, but a few residents noted they didn’t want to give up on the dam and that they wanted the lake back.

Duke Lake was drained in 2005 when cracks were found in the dam, which state officials said was caused by longwall mining near the park. The state and Consol Energy reached a $36 million settlement in 2013. However, the $49.8 million allocation in the 2006 and 2013 legislation is what was earmarked for the park’s renovation, and the settlement money was absorbed by the state.