Designing ‘Discovery Cove’
The consulting firm that developed a master plan for Washington County’s parks was awarded a contract Thursday to design a play area at Cross Creek park known as “Discovery Cove.”
The county commissioners voted 2-0. Commission Vice Chairman Diana Irey Vaughan was absent.
GAI Inc. was among several companies that replied to the county’s request for an engineering firm. The county’s agreement with GAI is that it not exceed $146,200, to be paid from Cross Creek park’s natural gas lease funds, to design Discovery Cove and obtain the necessary permits.
In 2013, the county commissioners awarded GAI Inc. a $126,000 contract, also paid from oil and gas revenue, to act as consultant in developing a master plan for county parks – Cross Creek, Mingo Creek and Ten Mile Creek – and Panhandle Trail, which stretches from McDonald to West Virginia.
Included in GAI’s master plan was an artist’s concept of Discovery Cove.
Those using Cross Creek park should not look for the boardwalk, trail and two fishing piers anytime soon on the Route 50 side of the lake.
Because it involves a body of water, the state Department of Environmental Protection must grant permits before each step of the project.
“Permitting itself is expected to determine when it goes to construction,” said Lisa Cessna, executive director of the Washington County Planning Commission, after a board of commissioners’ agenda-setting session Wednesday. She expects the process to take several years.
Trees and brush also must be cleared to create access to an area known as the point, and there eventually will be a trail connection over the lake’s sediment dam.
“Little by little, we’re going to create trails around that lake,” she said.
Although the board of commissioners heard a request a few years ago to develop a sandy beach along the lakefront, because of liability concerns, Cross Creek will continue to be posted with “no swimming” signs.
The boardwalk will increase accessibility to the water and give those who have no watercraft a chance to cast a fishing line from a place other than the shore. The county also plans to add a terraced lawn adjacent to the Route 50 boat launch.