River sports park proposed in Shamokin Dam (Harrisburg, Sunbury: wood floors, 2009)

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Published June 30, 2009 05:10 am - The SEDA-Council of Governments wants to create a river sports park in an area off the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Shamokin Dam as part of a broader riverfront development project.

River sports park proposed in Shamokin Dam


By Tricia Pursell
The Daily Item

The SEDA-Council of Governments wants to create a river sports park in an area off the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Shamokin Dam as part of a broader riverfront development project.

The Lake Augusta Gateway Project aims to connect Sunbury, Northumberland and Shamokin Dam, and Upper Augusta, Union and Monroe Townships "” all part of the Susquehanna Greenway that includes 500 miles of river and a total of 250 municipalities.
The Greenway includes 10 communities in Union, Snyder, Northumberland, Montour and Columbia counties.

"Lake Augusta is one of our region's largest environmental assets," said Tom Grbenick, Community Resource Center director for SEDA-COG.
The river sports park, where sections of the old Pennsylvania Canal exist, could be used as an extension of Shikellamy State Park, a place to launch non-motorized boats, and where rowing competitions could be held, Grbenick said.
When the Central Susquehanna Valley Thruway is built, the stretch of Route 11 along the lake could become a scenic parkway.

A museum, a restaurant and an auto-based tour of the Greenway could come to fruition as well, he said.

Lake Augusta would be the gateway to a proposed five-county Middle Susquehanna Heritage Area, he said. The lake is formed when the seven bags of the Adam T. Bower Memorial Dam are inflated.

The project is expected to receive federal funds from the Appalachian Regional Commission and has already been approved for a $125,000 grant through the Pennsylvania Community
Transportation Initiative.

SEDA-COG has received letters of support from Shamokin Dam, Monroe Township, Northumberland borough and Sunbury, but is facing opposition from Snyder County. Grbenick is scheduled to meet with the Snyder County commissioners today.
State Reps. Merle Phillips, R-108 of RD2 Sunbury, and Russell Fairchild, R-85 of Lewisburg, have supported related projects, Grbenick said.
According to Steve Kusheloff, public information manager for SEDA-COG, the project will help the region maintain its character and feature its special qualities.
"
Take what's here, take what we already have and develop it, make the most of it," he said.
When people are not taking big trips, they need a recreation space and a hometown holiday space, Kusheloff said.
"It's the exact time to be doing this kind of thing," he said. "You have to have a grand vision and then you can start to fill in the pieces."

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This sounds really nice. I am sort of concerned that- say in the amphitheater they want to build, that it will not pay for itself. As a home owner- why do I even want one? Crunch the numbers. $7 a seat per show. Then factor in clean up and police. It wont even break even.

My mom sold her place to a family that wanted out of Harrisburg. So maybe with this project I can sell. Don't get me wrong- I love the area. Just- that the busy street- drives me nuts. But I wont give my house away. I don't particularly want to rent it out. Not with hard wood floors I don't.

I don't know if anyone is aware- but the river front project? It calls for trees. Ok- you might say- that sounds lovely. But- this is not good for me. I have nice views from my 2nd floor. With trees- that block the view- then that is no improvement for those who enjoy such a view now. Did you know the river looks different every 20 minutes? The sun and wind- I watch it alot. The master bedroom is a living roon. (I have 12 rooms) So I get online- the mountain back drop- each season- change, fall foilage- to snow speckled mountain. The hight and flow of the river also morgh its appearance. In fact- being how I can dream and gaze at the river day after day- the Susquehanna River has better programming then cable. I cancelled my cable a year ago.

I traced back the title here to 1932. I wish I could go further- but ...no luck.

The design makes good use of feng shui. A southern exposure. Back then- houses had style and grand workmanship! Truly the hey day of the valley.

Quite possibly Chief Shikellamy set up a teepee here- where I sit. :-)

What was the family like that built the house? What were their dreams? What did they think about when they looked at the river?

What was their occupations?

In 1936 the title SAYS the house in disrepair. Ok- well there was the 32 flood- before the flood wall... then by 1936 the depression had set in. So no one had money.

A buddy in Fl seen a pic of the wall and said it looked absolutely hideous. (ouch)

I think Front should become a 1 way street between bainbridge and Market- (exit via 2nd street- which is a state route) I also think the speed limit should be lowered. On Sunday nights the trucks roll by rattles the houses.

The noise and grime echo and bounce from the cement wall and bonbard the house. Day after day after day after day- day and night all day long. When it rains it is worse. I got some ear plugs- but now my ears are irritated.

I miss the retired Selinsgrove.

I have learned the energy of the house a little better. Lana, in LA is my feng shui master. So she helps some.

I can watch out my window- maybe 1 out of 4 cars is holding a cell phone. and many are speeding. This week tho the tossing the trash out the window irks me. SOMEONE has to pick that stuff up. and that means ME.

...if it gets bad- I guess I will just block the street off with a bunch of old furniture. :-)

....there are too many renters in Sunbury. And THAT is becoming a bigger problem.