Mid-Lothian Mines Park aims to begin phase two of project

Mid-Lothian Mines Park held an informational meeting at J. B. Watkins Elementary last night (Tuesday, July 14) to inform Chesterfield residents of the proposed future park’s activity.

Nearly 100 residents were in attendance, a large majority of whom were from the Walton Park and Grove subdivisions. The park’s adjacent neighborhoods are directly affected by any upcoming changes. Virginia Senator John Watkins and Board of Supervisor Dan Gecker, Midlothian district, were also in attendance.

Mid-Lothian Mines Park opened in 2004, four years after Tom Garner’s donation of 44-acres along Woolridge Road. The park, which is located within the 150-mile coal basin that runs throughout the Commonwealth, is built upon old mine shafts. It features the remains of the Pump Shaft from the once-thriving industry before the mining company folded.

Stuart Connock, from Chesterfield County Parks and Recreation, led discussion on future park expansion and construction. “When we developed this park it was originally to preserve history, but now we know that in addition to the ruins the park offers, there is a nice stream and walking hubs we need to protect,” Connock said.

Connock went on to explain that many of the walking paths now in the park were originally the railroad beds from the 1831 Chesterfield Railroad. Connock also outlined the three different phases of park construction that are now being put into effect.

The first phase, a public access parking lot and walking trails, was completed five years ago. Phase two, which will include the construction of a trestle bridge, an observation tower, and a variety of enhanced security measures, is slated to begin as soon as possible.

Connock explained that the $660,000 of funding for phase two of the park will come solely from the bond referendum passed by the county.

Phase three of the park includes a museum and visitor center.

In addition to construction, Jim Carpenter of Risk and Environmental Management discussed increasing security at the park, a major concern among local residents. The park has recently been plagued with vandalism and other crimes, including the discovery of Molotov cocktails on park grounds.

“The purpose of the park is really to explore the site,” Carpenter said, but he continued that there will be increased security of the two open mine shafts in the park.

Although both shafts are filled with water and do not pose an immediate danger, Carpenter hopes to secure the shafts to avoid injury and replace fencing around the park’s mining ruins with something more aesthetically pleasing.

Also included as part of the park’s development are plans to restore the stream that runs through it.

Environmental Program Manager Jeff Howard explained that the county has tested the park’s soil, sediment, surface water, and ground water for any risks.

“We tested for metals and organic compounds commonly associated with mining activities,” Howard said. “And as expected all metals found with mining activity are high.”

However, Howard further explained that the water on site is very clean, and poses no cancerous or non-cancerous risks. Soil and sediment levels were slightly raised, but Howard suggested this should not cause concern.

Chesterfield County Environmental Engineer Dick McElfish noted that despite the high water quality, the stream the runs through Mid-Lothian Mines Park needs to be restored due to high levels of erosion.

The stream, which functions as a tributary to Falling Creek has been identified by the Watershed Assessment and Stream Protection Program as a priority for restoration, McElfish explained. The current stream channel cannot deal with the increased flow during rain storms, and because of this, erosion and sedimentation have reached high levels.

“We want to create a healthy vegetative buffer along the stream to alleviate these problems,” McElfish explained.

Further meetings will take place as construction details are finalized. Midlothian residents are asked to refer to the county Web site, www.chesterfield.gov, for information on when the meetings will take place.