Wisecarver Lake Update 6/24/19

Update On The Progress of Wisecarver Lake...

For anyone unfamiliar with Wisecarver Lake (Reservoir) it is a property leased to the county for public use just a few miles from downtown Waynesburg. Locals also know it as the "Waterdam".

Wisecarver would be a perfect site for a much needed outdoor recreation area for fishing, kayaking, walking/biking trails and more. The problem with the site is access. There is currently no safe and easy way to access the banks of Wisecarver.

Interest in developing the site started 2011 when the Dam was rebuilt. In 2018 Greene County received a $200,000 grant to start developing the property. To date no noticeable change to the property has been started. 

We reached out to Commissioner Blair Zimmerman to get more information on the progress of Wisecarver as of June 2019. The following includes a few quotes provided by his office to help explain the process.

"Currently the County has provided a preliminary design and grant request to DCNR.  DCNR came through with funding in the amount of $200,000.  This money will go towards parking lot, driveway from Water Dam Road, and a walking trail around the proposed softball fields.  The term for this grant is 1/1/2019 through 12/31/2022.  We currently have our engineer completing the permitting process through DEP and PennDOT.  The engineer is also doing the bid specifications for the construction of fields and grant funded items above.  We are hoping for construction to start this fall but it can’t start until we get the permits.  We are, of course, coordinating with the softball association through this process to ensure their needs are also met."

"Walking trail will circle the 3 softball fields only.  Phase 2 of the project will increase the walking trails throughout the property"

"We have also applied for funding to complete a Recreational Site Plan for the entire property.  That has not been funded yet.  We hope to have a plan that maximizes the use of the entire facility.  The impoundment and fishing are to play a big part in the development of the park."

"The Commissioner envisions the next phase of development to include a boat launch, clearing and sloping the area near the water to provide greater access, and creating walking trails through the property."

For more information about Wisecarver's past, present, and future progress visit our Wisecarver Lake Page