Project Description: 

Hazel Ruby McQuain Park, originally built in 1999, has undergone a full renovation providing needed recreational connections and riverfront amenities along the Monongahela River in Morgantown, WV.  Funded by the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust, the redesign of the park includes significant updates to Ruby Amphitheater, a realignment of the Caperton Rail-Trail, the renovation of the historic Morgantown train depot and plaza, and the incorporation of the new Walnut Street Landing plaza and kayak launch.

The amphitheater renovation includes a new shade structure and terraced seating to support larger concerts and local events. The historic Morgantown train depot has been renovated to provide accessible community space and commercial retail space. The new depot plaza connects the train depot and the amphitheater with expanded gathering space, seating, and trees. The park extends north to include a picnic grove under the Westover Bridge and the Walnut Street Landing plaza and kayak launch. Walnut Street Landing includes a curbless parking lot, public kayak lockers, and trail connections. The existing boat ramp has been upgraded with an ADA kayak launch. Reclaimed limestone blocks, discovered during site demolition, are incorporated throughout the project.

Planning for the renovation of Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park began in early 2016. Led by Merritt Chase in collaboration with Riverlife, the Northern Brownfields Assistance Center, the Mon Rivertowns Program, and the Mon River Revitalization Task Force, community stakeholder teams met multiple times to collaboratively design the riverfront park concepts. Workshops identified opportunities and constraints, familiarized stakeholders with regional riverfront resources, and developed park design concepts. Park amenities were selected and incorporated to leverage community need and available funding sources.