The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE, Va. (VR) – The Town of Clifton Forge held its monthly community meeting Thursday evening to update residents on ongoing infrastructure projects, revitalization efforts, and local historical initiatives. The meeting featured presentations from town officials and guest speakers highlighting both practical improvements and cultural heritage preservation efforts.
Town Manager Chuck Unroe opened with updates on several critical infrastructure projects currently underway. The Smith Creek project, which involves replacing the water main from the treatment plant to downtown, is proceeding on schedule and within budget, with completion expected by the end of July. “The West Ridgeway Street paving project that we’ve been discussing for two years has finally been awarded,” Unroe said. “They will completely mill and resurface Ridgeway Street from Roxbury Street to the town limits at the bridge.” Unroe emphasized that the paving and resurfacing work is being funded through a Virginia Department of Transportation state of good repair grant totaling $989,000, requiring no matching funds from the town except for new manhole covers as needed.
The meeting also addressed ongoing sidewalk repairs that began last fall and are scheduled to resume in the coming weeks.
Officials announced the resolution of a title issue regarding the Jefferson School project, which had been complicated by the 1982 consolidation of Clifton Forge and Alleghany County Schools. “The Alleghany Highlands public school system has gifted the property back to the town,” Unroe explained. “The town council voted unanimously to accept the property, which allows us to finalize a performance agreement with the historic elective group.”
The town’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year has been completed and is available for public review at town hall since April 22, with a public hearing scheduled for June 10. Downtown beautification efforts were highlighted, including hanging baskets throughout the downtown area. The revitalization project includes assistance for store owners evaluating the renovation of upstairs living spaces, with one business owner already expressing interest in beginning the renovation process.
A detailed presentation was given on the history of Green Pastures and traced the development of Virginia’s state park system under William Carson, head of the state commission on conservation and development in the early 1930s. It explained how Carson secured Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) labor to build Virginia’s first six state parks: Westmoreland, Staunton River, Fairy Stone, Hungry Mother, First Landing, and Douthat State Park. While these parks were technically not segregated, they functioned as de facto whites-only spaces. “By 1936, it became readily apparent to Black leadership within Virginia that these parks were not going to be for them,” The presentation stated. “You start to see young African American people going to these whites-only parks and essentially demanding access.” These protests led to the creation of Green Pastures, a park specifically built for African Americans. CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) workers from Camp Dolly Ann in Covington were reassigned to build the park in Longdale, which officially opened in 1940 but saw unofficial use as early as 1938.
“What they wound up finding out is more on the magnitude of thousands would come to the park,” regarding attendance. “It was of far more use than anybody expected.” The park was informally desegregated in 1950 and later renamed from Green Pastures to Longdale in 1963. A representative from the MAP (Monuments Across Appalachian Virginia) program announced a grant to develop a walking trail, historical markers, a picnic shelter, and a
children’s book about Green Pastures, with a major celebration planned for June 15, 2024, marking the 80th anniversary of the park’s official opening.
The meeting also included information about upcoming community events, including a Juneteenth celebration scheduled for June 14 at Jeter Watson Park featuring food, music, dance, games, and prizes donated by local businesses.
Additional announcements included Fridays in the Forge events with live music and vendors, a triathlon featuring kayaking, bicycling, and foot races, a Flag Day ceremony on June 14, and Fourth of July celebrations including a fireworks show and parade.
The meeting concluded with a discussion of an upcoming inventory day for blighted and dilapidated properties, modeled after the Brownfields program. The process will include data collection, redevelopment planning, and community workshops to engage residents and stakeholders in revitalization efforts. Town officials encouraged community participation in all upcoming events and initiatives, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in preserving the town’s history while moving forward with infrastructure improvements and economic development.
