Park plan priorities outlined
CONNELLSVILLE – Connellsville’s ties to the development of the region, state and country will be highlighted at Stewart’s Crossing as planning continues for the site located at the edge of the Youghiogheny River. Committee members met Wednesday to discuss the priorities of the area that in the past has been the crossing point for an army, a launch for flatboats carrying manufactured and other goods southward, a stopping point for a future president and provided water and food to the first inhabitants.
“It has significant historic value and is very unique,” said Connellsville Historical Society President Karen Hechler of the acreage that adjoins Yough Park, the Yough Trail and society-owned property where Col. William Crawford built a log cabin in 1765. “People moving west crossed at Stewart’s Crossing. It was a transportation artery and how we got in contact with the rest of the U.S.
“People would take goods from here to New Orleans and then walk home.”
How to portray all that has taken place at the site and in Connellsville has been the focal point of the Stewart’s Crossing Committee for several months.
Committee member Dexston Reed said the parklet should be an accompaniment to major tourist attractions such as Fort Necessity National Battlefield and Braddock’s Grave.
“It should accentuate the history of the area,” he said.
While preliminary plans have shown the inclusion of monuments of Maj. Gen. Edward Braddock, who with his troops crossed the Youghiogheny River at Stewart’s Crossing; Lt. George Washington, who was with Braddock before he reached Connellsville and then later returned to visit with Crawford; and Half-King, an Iroquois who befriended Washington, the committee has determined to trim the number to one.
A consensus of the group indicates an Iroquois would be chosen, as the Indian tribe was the first to inhabit the area.
Other amenities discussed included an entrance from Route 119, where a replica of a beehive coke oven and various flags would draw visitors to the park. At that location, a focal point would give an overview of contents of the park.
The committee – comprised of members from the historical society, Connellsville Redevelopment Authority, Regional Trail Corp. (RTC), Yough Trail Corp., Connellsville City Council and individuals – detailed the need to also highlight the coal and coke industries and the railroad.
Society member Tom Rusniak suggested that the HoBo Railroad Club be asked to consider assembling a miniature railroad in an unused building owned by the RTC.
“The building could be used as an interpretive center,” said Reed.
Glenn Wolfe, Widmer Engineering Inc. engineer, explained that it is important for the group to set priorities for the project as it will have to be completed in phases because of the cost.
“Nothing is set in stone at this point,” he said. “There have been a lot of suggestions, but it doesn’t mean we have to tackle all of them.”
Since 2004, the city has set aside $172,000 through its annual state Department Block Grant allocations for the project in addition to submitting applications to various other funding sources to defray the development costs.
Ralph Wombacker, authority executive director, said that he has learned that the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is in the process of reviewing a $150,000 grant application submitted last month in connection with the project.
The authority has approved Widmer to move forward with preliminary work at the site including a survey to identify topography and physical features, location of underground utilities, construction drawings, preparation of permit application and bidding documents and overview of the Phase I project at a cost of $19,000.
The authority also has engaged architect and former Connellsville resident David Reagan to assist with the project.