Van Voorhis Trailhead Project Creates Recreational Resource Out of Former Brownfield

HRG is proud to have worked with the Monongahela River Trails Conservancy on converting a remediated brownfield site into a popular trailhead on the Mon River Rail-Trail in Star City, West Virginia.  Formerly the site of a glass manufacturing facility, Monongalia County Commission completed remediation of the site in 2012, paving the way for this formerly contaminated property to be converted into a valuable recreational resource for one of the fastest-growing residential areas in the region.

HRG provided engineering services to the Mon River Trails Conservancy (MRTC) to double the rail-trail parking on the former Quality Glass Company site  and install the first “Sweet Smelling Toilet” along the nearly 4-mile long trail.  This waterless toilet was originally designed by the U.S. Forest Service, and, when properly sited and vented, eliminates the odor and insect problems typically associated with traditional outhouse facilities.

The Van Voorhis Trailhead project was a collaboration of many community partners, including the Town of Star City, the Monongalia County Commission, the North Central Brownfield Center, the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the West Virginia Department of Highways and the Mon River Trails Conservancy.

It was partially funded by a grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program, as administered by the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways.

 

ABOUT HRG

Originally founded in 1962, HRG has grown to be a nationally ranked Top 500 Design Firm, providing civil engineering, surveying and environmental services to public and private sector clients. The 200-person employee-owned firm currently has office locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia.