Greenhouse Park

Park to Offer Whitewater Fun All Summer Long

The Stonycreek Whitewater Park in Conemaugh Township, Somerset County, is being planned by Stonycreek Outdoor Adventure and Recreation (SOAR), Conemaugh Township and Benscreek Canoe Club, with support from SCRIP, Conemaugh Valley Conservancy and several other partners.

This project was initiated to enhance the Stonycreek River's recreational potential, aquatic habitats and riverbanks while focusing on making use of the river within a park setting. The project will include the construction of whitewater improvements within the bed of the river and riverbank improvements. The project is in response to the growing interest in whitewater recreation and to provide a focal point for activity within an urban park.

The whitewater park will be designed as a component of the proposed 100 acre Greenhouse Park on the border of Somerset and Cambria counties. The park lies just outside of the Johnstown city limits and within close proximity to 100,000+ residents. Our focus is to capitalize on existing resources and make use of the Stonycreek River and a 62 acre reclaimed coal refuse pile. The park will include a network of walking/jogging trails, multi-use fields, mountain bike park, pavilions, and a large community function area.

With Olympic paddling in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Summer Games, paddle sports have become the fastest growing sport in the outdoor recreation industry, according to the Outdoor Retail Coalition of America. Man-made whitewater parks have been popping up worldwide over the past decade, meeting a growing demand among outdoor enthusiasts. The U.S. Forest Service estimates that over 25 million people kayak, canoe or raft in the United States, with many others developing an interest in water based recreation. It is a great way to learn outdoor skills, get quality exercise, learn about river safety, and have fun.

Kayaking and canoeing have undergone tremendous change in the past ten years. Boats are getting smaller, and “rodeo” kayaking has gained unprecedented popularity. With popularity comes the proliferation of “park and play” river parks, where kayakers and canoeists can come and spend hours at a single hole (river hydraulic) honing gymnastic type moves in, and atop, foaming holes and waves.

Essentially, kayaking and canoeing have gained a dimension. Whereas 10 years ago the sport was largely about running a river and traveling from one locale to another, now its also about mastering complex moves in a single location.

The proposed location will be along a 300 yard stretch of the Stonycreek River. Factors such as channel width, stream gradient, habitat characteristics, and flow volume have dictated the specific location within the park. New pools and narrow drops allow for boating year round. The park would be designed for optimal use at low water flows.

The park will consist of:

In-stream whitewater improvements (i.e. drops, pools, constrictions of random boulder placements).
Stream bank improvements and river access (i.e. put-ins and take outs, gravel river trail, etc.) and bank regrading and/restoration (i.e. vegetated terraces, boulder toe, seating areas, re-vegetation, etc.)
Slalom course (i.e. racing )
Freestyle course (i.e. surfing waves, hydraulic surfing etc.)
Additional park improvements including a change house and river trail.

The courses will be designed by placing large rocks to concentrate the stream flow. Limestone core rock could be used in the river bed. Then sandstone boulders could be set individually on top of these to mimic the natural arrangement of rocks in the river. The rocks will be grouted to the bedrock, and to each other, to ensure stability. The limestone will buffer acidity and improve water quality along this section of the Stonycreek River. The sandstone boulders will maintain the natural character of the river and could be harvested from a nearby landfill or mine.

These improvements are needed because the flow of the Stonycreek is usually too low for whitewater boating after the early spring. Kayakers will be able to enjoy their sport all through the Spring, Summer and Fall with these improvements, even without any additional discharges into the river from Quemahoning Reservoir.

All of these improvements are envisioned to be attractive, functional, permanent, and designed to blend in with and improve the natural environment.

The project will serve multiple objectives. The whitewater drops and pools provide excellent fish habitat. The area can be popular for walkers, joggers, picnickers, and for just spending time next to the river to watch boaters. Fisherman can frequent the whitewater park. Residents can use the area through regional and adventure programs or just for a summer inner tube ride. Competition events such as slalom races (kayaks and canoes), and freestyle rodeo will also take place annually.

The course will be free and open to the public. It will be designed for a wide range of whitewater enthusiasts of all skill levels, with emphasis on the beginner to novice level. The course will provide non-boaters a chance to learn about and if interested take part in river activities. The park will encourage more participation in the sport. Annual boating events (i.e. Stonycreek Rendezvous, slalom, rodeo, downriver races) can also be held at the park.

Costs for similar projects on the west coast vary from $58,000 to $250,000. Project partners plan to rely heavily on in-kind services and donations from local contractors, Conemaugh Township, S.O.A.R, Benscreek Canoe Club, Waste Management Inc., and other local companies. The bulk of the costs are in construction of the whitewater enhancements and the riverbank improvements.

SCRIP Contact List:
SCRIP
PO Box 153
Johnstown PA 15907-0153
cccd@co.cambria.pa.us
somersetcd@wpia.net
scrip@pa-conservation.org