Waynesboro city representatives and residents gathered on August 21st to celebrate the transformation of the South River Preserve. The public dedication marked the culmination of years of collaborative environmental restoration work.
The project reclaimed portions of Constitution Park, the South River, and former DuPont properties that sat largely unused for more than a decade. What was once a seven-acre asphalt parking lot and degrading picnic area is now a flourishing meadow that welcomes both wildlife and community members.
The South River Preserve exemplifies the remarkable community benefits possible when federal, state, and local partners unite around a shared vision. City Councilman Terry Short praised the collaborative efforts that brought the project to fruition, with key speakers at the dedication including Anne Condon from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Parks and Recreation leaders C. Dwayne Jones and Stephanie Seltzer, Dr. Joe Keiper of the Virginia Natural History Museum, and Lisa Carter from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation…