News Summary

Springfield, Ohio — Revitalization in downtown Springfield will soon bring with it greener, more eco-friendly activities for area residents.

Brothers John and Kevin Loftis are spearheading a project to turn the portion of Buck Creek from Croft Road to its complement at the Mad River into a recreational sports corridor providing a wide range of sporting and leisure activities on or near the water.

The finished project, a run of about six and one-half miles, will remove four low-head dams on Buck Creek. Those dams will be replaced with white-water hot spots at Old Reid, Lagonda, Veterans, and Snyder parks.

Each dam will be replaced with a series of 12 to 18 inch drops to gently alleviate the fall, John said.

A bouldering hot spot will be built at the cliffs in Veterans Park.

John, owner of Mad River Craftsmen Builders and outdoor sports aficionado, offered the project update at the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce's Thursday Live, held Sept. 11 at the Springfield Museum of Art.

The waterway is not viable for commercial use, John said, so the redeveloped waterway will be used for recreation and educational purposes and will become a more natural environment for existing plant and animal species.

"This is an opportunity to promote activity on a waterway that's been urbanized and neglected," John said.

Once the Army Corps of Engineers issues the necessary permit in accordance with section 404 of the U.S. Clean Water Act, expected in 30 to 45 days, engineering of the project can begin, he added.

Engineering and design is being done by Boulder, Colo.-based Recreation Engineering and Planning, a firm specializing in whitewater parks.

In addition to the Buck Creek corridor development, Chamber President Mike McDorman said construction of the Center City Park, which will run from the Heritage Center to North Street, is tentatively set to begin March 1, 2009 with an expected completion date of June 1.

The combination of traditional retail and commercial development, McDorman said, paired with the planned outdoor development will help draw and retain young people to the community.

Contact this reporter at (937) 328-0371 or elroberts@coxohio.com.