River Common a rare treasure

A MANMADE GEM along the Susquehanna River has been created in the Diamond City, and it has the promise to be a public treasure for years to come.

Its name is rather plain – River Common – but it’s really the most unique of Wyoming Valley’s parks.

The remade and remodeled River Common is a half-mile-long blend of nature, concrete and masterful stonework designed to provide unlimited recreation possibilities to the downtown.

Providing a serene mood in a city setting, River Common will be anything but when its dedication takes place Friday afternoon, followed by the 10th Annual Riverfest. There is sure to be a big turnout of people. Bands will grace the amphitheater stage while more activities will be held across the river in Nesbitt Park, where kayakers and canoeists will end their day’s sojourn Saturday. From there on Sunday sojourners will put in again for another trip south.

Using a river park in Hartford, Conn. as a model, River Common has been redesigned to simultaneously offer flood-protection to downtown Wilkes-Barre and open the Susquehanna River for recreational purposes while offering an array of activities that include walking paths, a 750-seat amphitheater, fishing pier and Wi-Fi access.

While on the levee promenade stretching from the vicinity of the campus of Wilkes University to the courthouse, visitors will have a spectacular view of swaths of undeveloped woodland across the river at Kirby and Nesbitt parks. In the latter, a rebuilt boat launch will attract an assortment of colorful craft.

But one need not strain the eyes to appreciate the beauty. Five hundred shrubs, 250 newly planted trees, 12,000 perennials and thousands of wild flowers on the levee bank charm the eye and calm rattled nerves. The historic courthouse dome is in plain view, and decorative red bricks, a lighted fountain and vintage-style light poles add to the good vibes.

The massive levee structure offers essential protection from dangerous flood waters – it is part of a flood-control project – but two 60-foot-wide portals offer pedestrian access to the river’s edge. There’s also ample bench seating for those who would rather relax than walk or exercise. All points are wheelchair accessible.

One will quickly forget that bustling River Street is to their backs and that hulking office buildings sit just beyond it.

There’s still work to be done on the $30 million project built largely with federal funds, including taming busy River Street to ensure pedestrian safety as well as establishing a group to stage regular events.

But this weekend is one of celebration and appreciating how people who once feared a raging river can also enjoy its calmness and beauty.

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Opinion

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