Participation Type
Paper
Session Title
Session 6.11 Tourism and Development
Presentation #1 Title
Improving Community Quality of Life Through Collaboration: The North Park Landfill Reuse Project of Wheeling, West Virginia
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
The North Park landfill is a former municipal landfill for the city of Wheeling, West Virginia which was operational between 1971 and 1983. The city of Wheeling seeks to reuse the former landfill for recreational purposes. Led by the city of Wheeling Community Development, this project demonstrates the importance of collaboration in bringing change to and improving communities. Several stakeholders came together in this project to effect change. In 2012 the city was awarded a West Virginia Redevelopment Collaborative (WVRC) grant which also brings together a team of experts from different fields to help communities address their challenges. The wheeling project included experts from community development, academia, the city, and state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and most importantly the community residents. Through the collaborative approach of different stakeholders the city was able to leverage approximately $8m. Community residents, through a community design event organized by the city and the WVRC team, provided input and ideas that led to the development of the conceptual land use plan. Residents also provided input about the recreational activities they would and would not want developed in the area. While the project is still in progress, the ultimate goal is a recreational complex for the community comprising of activities and facilities selected by the community. This project will improve residents’ quality of life through provision of more recreational and leisure facilities.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Kudzayi Maumbe is an Assistant Professor with the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Resources at West Virginia University
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Melissa Thompson is a Community Development Specialist with the Department of Economic and Community Development for the City of Wheeling
Improving Community Quality of Life Through Collaboration: The North Park Landfill Reuse Project of Wheeling, West Virginia
Harris Hall 236
The North Park landfill is a former municipal landfill for the city of Wheeling, West Virginia which was operational between 1971 and 1983. The city of Wheeling seeks to reuse the former landfill for recreational purposes. Led by the city of Wheeling Community Development, this project demonstrates the importance of collaboration in bringing change to and improving communities. Several stakeholders came together in this project to effect change. In 2012 the city was awarded a West Virginia Redevelopment Collaborative (WVRC) grant which also brings together a team of experts from different fields to help communities address their challenges. The wheeling project included experts from community development, academia, the city, and state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and most importantly the community residents. Through the collaborative approach of different stakeholders the city was able to leverage approximately $8m. Community residents, through a community design event organized by the city and the WVRC team, provided input and ideas that led to the development of the conceptual land use plan. Residents also provided input about the recreational activities they would and would not want developed in the area. While the project is still in progress, the ultimate goal is a recreational complex for the community comprising of activities and facilities selected by the community. This project will improve residents’ quality of life through provision of more recreational and leisure facilities.
