While the present state of the park paints a peaceful image, officials and residents of the Town of Shenandoah, Va. are anxious to usher the park into a new phase. Plans have been made to turn this former iron ore foundry location into a comprehensive park to include trails, ballfields, an amphitheater, woodland preserve, a pond, and picnic areas.

On Tuesday June 8, more than 50 onlookers witnessed the official groundbreaking for the long awaited Wastewater Treatment System Improvements for citizens of Allison Gap and Saltville, Virginia. Ninth District Congressman Rick Boucher led the way, delivering a speech and participating with several other key players in the start of construction.

This groundbreaking ceremony was a welcomed confirmation of success for those involved in the improvements to the Saltville Treatment Plant and the addition of wastewater collection for the citizens of Allison Gap, located in Smyth County. With a price tag of $8.19 million, the cost was more than Smyth County and Town of Saltville administrators had initially arranged for in funding. Through the leadership and effort of several key players from both jurisdictions and the Mount Rogers Planning District, additional funding was secured and coupled with funding from several sources to make these improvements possible. Funding sources included Rural Development grants and loans, a DHCD grant, a SE-R/CAP grant, and a DEQ grant.

Residents of Allison Gap came to learn more about the improvements to be made to their neighborhoods. The improvements designed by A&A include 255 residential connections, 56,600 linear feet of gravity sewer line, pump station improvements, and an increase in the capacity of the existing Saltville Treatment Plant from 500,000 to 990,000 gallons per day.