Waverly, Virginia : community park, downtown revitalization, and entryway enhancements

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Date
2012-08
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Publisher
Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center
Abstract

Waverly is a small town of approximately 2,300 residents, located in Southside Virginia’s Sussex County. Waverly has a history of pine tree and peanut farms, with several former mills in the area as well as a local Carver Peanut Museum. Land was donated for a town park – the Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park – and the town of Waverly and its Parks and Recreation Commission approached the Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) at Virginia Tech for conceptual design assistance for the park as well as conceptual ideas for Waverly's downtown streetscape, a possible town square, and entryway designs. CDAC worked with the town, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and community residents to develop conceptual design ideas for the following three areas:

Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park Conceptual Master Plan: The Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park already contains a few programmatic elements including parking and four tennis courts. The town and its Parks and Recreation Commission envisioned the addition of several other programmatic elements including a paved walking trail, playground, possibly basketball courts, and a covered pavilion picnic area. Using community input, CDAC developed a conceptual master plan for the park that transformed the tennis courts into a multi-functional space, improved the parking structure, and added a variety of amenities including restrooms, picnic areas, signs, beautiful plantings, and an entry garden to the adjacent Ruritan fields.

Downtown Streetscape, Town Plaza, and Farmer’s Market: The town of Waverly is interested in enhancing its downtown streetscape. One shop owner is currently working with the Department of Community Housing and Development to improve four buildings on Main Street. The town worked with CDAC to explore conceptual design possibilities for enhancing Main Street’s streetscape with elements such as street trees, improved sidewalks, seating, and pedestrian scale lighting. Additionally, there is interest in a possible farmer’s market and town square adjacent to Main Street.

Waverly Entryway Conceptual Designs: Currently, Waverly has four formal entry signs. These signs could be enhanced and highlighted through plantings. Additionally, if space permits, Waverly could benefit from an improved entry area near the intersection of Main Street and US 460. CDAC worked with the town and community to develop conceptual ideas for enhancing these entries

Description
Keywords
Waverly (Sussex County, Va.) -- Designs and plans., Parks -- Virginia -- Waverly (Sussex County) -- Designs and plans., City planning -- Virginia -- Waverly (Sussex County) -- Designs and plans.
Citation