Park History & Future Plans

In 2013, the Town of Christiansburg paid $2.5 million for 63 acres of former farmland off Peppers Ferry Road, with the intent of ultimately building a park in the location. The property is known by the name of its late owner Truman Wilson, who lived, farmed and operated a sawmill there. Since the purchase of the property and while planning efforts for the park were underway, the Town leased the land for cattle grazing.

The property is in an ideal location because it offers the opportunity to expand recreational amenities to the northern part of town, is close to several neighborhoods, will provide support to the many businesses located nearby, and is adjacent to the ever-expanding Huckleberry Trail.

In 2016, the Town unveiled a conceptual master plan for the park, and in 2018, the Town received an unsolicited PPEA design and construction proposal to build the park. (More on the PPEA process below in our FAQs). Council chose to accept this proposal for consideration and directed Town administration to advertise for competing proposals.

At the Nov. 10, 2020 Town Council meeting, Council approved a budget amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget, which includes funding for the park – moving the project forward. At its Dec. 8, 2020 meeting, Town Council voted to enter into a comprehensive agreement with Faulconer Construction Company to build the park.

In the beginning of December, 2020, Town staff worked with the Faulconer Design Team to finalize the park construction plans. The plans include the initial extension of Booker T. Washington Parkway to the park entrance and eventually connect to Cambria Street and North Franklin Street in the future when funds are available. All right-of-way and permits have been secured. The Town signed and approved the final plans on May 10, 2021. Construction is well underway and an official groundbreaking ceremony took place on May 15, 2021.

Where are we now?

Christiansburg Huckleberry Park is set to open September 8, 2023.

The park is estimated to cost a total of $17,995,000 and will be paid for by a combination of monies from the Town’s General Fund, Town reserves, private contributions and sponsorships, revenue from the sale of commercial outparcels on the park property, grants, and bonds. The Town borrowed $9.3 million to complete the project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PPEA process? Why did the Town choose to utilize a PPEA process?

The Public-Private Education and Infrastructure Act of 2002 (PPEA) enables public bodies to partner with private entities to bring private sector expertise to public projects and to encourage innovative approaches to financing construction and renovation. Qualifying projects include public buildings and facilities of all types, including recreational facilities.

The PPEA process integrates the design and construction phases of a project, in contrast to traditional design-bid-build projects, which require the public body to contract separately with an architect/engineer and then a construction company.

The Town contracted with a local architectural/engineering design firm team in 2016 to develop the original Park Master Plan. In 2018, the Town received an unsolicited PPEA design and construction proposal by a team that included the original design firm. Council chose to accept this proposal for consideration and directed Town administration to advertise for competing proposals.

The Town received additional proposals from two design-build teams and initiated the process to review the three proposals. After consideration of the proposals, the Town selected the proposal submitted by the Faulconer Construction team and entered into an interim agreement to design the park to the 80% completion stage and establish a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for the park construction. Faulconer has since provided 80% plans and a GMP of $17,995,177, of which the Town has already paid $999,050 for the 80% plans. Remaining cost to be paid toward the GMP is $16,998,627, and the Town estimates another $995,000 for right-of-way easements and start-up costs. That brings the remaining total estimated, rounded cost of construction to $17,995,000. Town Council voted on Dec. 8, 2020 to enter into a comprehensive agreement to build the park.

Ultimately, the PPEA process can:

Save time
- Construction begins earlier with a design-build approach compared to the traditional design/bid/build project delivery system.
Save money
- The PPEA process saves time (which saves money), and the joint development of the design and build model eliminates construction issues before they occur because the contractor is involved from the start of planning.
Eliminate upfront costs
- Competing PPEA companies provide conceptual designs, cost estimates and time schedules to the client without a financial commitment from the jurisdiction.
Provide access to different designs
- The jurisdiction has the opportunity to review several different design concepts before deciding on the best one. The PPEA process requests proposals with minimal restrictions, fostering competition among bidders to provide the community with amenities in the most cost effective way.
Guarantee a maximum price
- The selected PPEA company provides a guaranteed maximum price, reducing risk to the local government. The jurisdiction receives a set price, and Town Council can set a budget accordingly. The contractor takes on all financial risks beyond that price.

What is the cost of the park and how will the Town pay for it?

Faulconer provided a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction of $17,995,177, of which the Town has already paid $999,050 for the 80% plans. Remaining cost to be paid toward the GMP is $16,998,627, and the Town estimates another $995,000 for right-of-way easements and start-up costs. That brings the remaining total estimated, rounded cost of construction to $17,995,000.

Construction of the park will be paid for by a combination of monies from our General Fund, Town reserves, private contributions and sponsorships, revenue from the sale of commercial out-parcels on the park property, grants, and bonds. Currently, the Town has allocated: $1.304 million from its Recreation Reserve fund; $1.04 million from its Capital Project Reserve fund; $2 million from its additional reserves; and $1,000 from general fund. The Town estimates at least one grant will be awarded for the project at roughly $350,000, and sponsorships, donations and the sale of commercial out-parcels on the property will provide at least $4 million. The Town borrowed $9.3 million to complete the project.

In addition to the $999,050 the Town has already spent for the 80% plans, the Town has also previously spent $2,720,255.60 toward the park project. That total includes $2,509,123 for the purchase of the property; $67,143 for the demolition of structures and asbestos removal; $21,584 to move a gas line; $79,555.60 to McDonough Bolyard Peck Inc. for the review of park proposals and plan development review services; $38,000 to Norfolk Southern for an easement; and $4,850 to SC Stevenson Consulting for ground penetrating radar services. Adding the cost of the 80% plans and the previous expenses together, as of December 2020, the Town has spent $3,719,305.60 on the park project.

Will the park be built in phases?

Two phases have been identified, with Phase I construction approved and moving forward. Phase I includes four full-sized, artificial turf rectangular fields, two pavilions, a maintenance building, a splash pad, a small and large dog park, an inclusive playground, an adult fitness zone, a challenge course, nearly 1.5 miles of trails, and green space for passive recreation. Phase II would provide the option for an amphitheater, additional parking, and volleyball and pickle ball courts. Phase II would be a longer-term future development option for Town Council to vote on constructing at a later date.

In addition to the amenities, Phase I will also include mass grading of the entire park property and support infrastructure, including roads and parking lots, stormwater collection and management systems, water, sanitary sewer, gas, wi-fi and lighting. This infrastructure will also support the development of commercial out-parcels included in the park development that will be sold by the Town in the future to help offset the park construction costs.

Will there be lighting incorporated into the park?

Yes, lighting will be provided for the four multi-purpose fields, the roadway and the parking lots. There will be minimal to no light spill beyond the boundaries of the sports fields. Faulconer Construction is partnering with a lighting company specialized in the design and manufacture of sports lighting solutions and providing affordable ways to control spill light and glare. This sports lighting directs light with pinpoint precision, because it’s focused on lighting the fields, not the neighborhoods surrounding them. In addition to the pinpoint precision, the lights on the fields will also have a 25-year warranty.

Trail lighting opportunities throughout the park are being evaluated to provide a safe experience for park users.

View a pdf of the current master plan for the park here (pictured above).

2023

Continued Construction, with periodical delays due to supply chain disruptions.

Jan.-March 2023

Christiansburg Huckleberry Park delayed due to pandemic supply chain disruptions. Waiting for delivery of critical components.

Dec. 2022

All major components of the Christiansburg Huckleberry Park are nearly complete outside of the items related to the supply chain disruptions. Components include the multipurpose fields, dog park, Booker T. Washington Parkway, Peppers Ferry turn lane, parking lots, buildings, trails, playground, and splash pad.

Nov. 2022

Pandemic and supply chain disruptions delay the delivery of critical electrical equipment required to complete the project.

July-Oct. 2022

Construction progresses on all components of the project.

June 2022

Construction of the maintenance building, playground, and the Dog Park begins.

May 2022

Construction begins on the multipurpose fields and field lighting.

April 2022

Town Council votes to designate the name of the new park facility as the Christiansburg Huckleberry Park. The Contactor begins work on the Multipurpose Field Building.

March 2022

Work begins on the Playground Pavilion.

Dec. 2021

Vertical Construction begins with the Hilltop Pavilion. Construction begins on the Peppers Ferry turn lane.

Aug. 2021

Contactor begins construction of Booker T. Washington Parkway.

June 2021

Contactor begins mass grading (earthwork) and site civil work (water, sewer, stormwater) at the Christiansburg Huckleberry Park.

May 15, 2021

The Town held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new park facility.

May 10, 2021

The Town approved the 100% plans for construction of the Christiansburg Huckleberry Park and the Booker T. Washington Parkway. The Town has issued the permit allowing grading operations to begin.

Jan. 12, 2021

Town Council voted to name the proposed Connector Road the Booker T. Washington Parkway.

Dec. 8, 2020

At its Dec. 8 meeting, Town Council voted to enter into a comprehensive agreement with Faulconer Construction Company to build the park. View the presentation regarding this agreement here.

Nov. 10, 2020

At the Nov. 10, 2020 Town Council meeting, Council approved a budget amendment to the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 budget, which includes funding for the park – moving the project forward. Town Council will hold a public hearing at its Dec. 8 meeting at 7 p.m. in Town Hall to discuss the issuance of debt for the project. Town Council will also need to vote at an upcoming meeting on whether to accept the GMP from Faulconer Construction and enter into a comprehensive agreement to build the park.

Oct. 29, 2020

At a Town Council work session, Faulconer Construction presented a report, completed by Victus Advisors, that included a market demand study and sports opportunity assessment on the park. The full report can be found here, and a summary of the report can be found here.

July 2020

Faulconer Construction presented the 80% plans to the Park PPEA Committee.

Jan. 16, 2020

Faulconer Construction presented the 35% plans to the Park PPEA Committee, which are being reviewed and commented on by staff.

Nov. 19, 2019

Christiansburg Town Council voted 6-0 to move forward with 80% plan development of Phase I of the park.

Nov. 18, 2019

Christiansburg Town Council held a work session with Faulconer Construction to discuss updates to the park plans.

Nov. 18 Meeting Presentation

Nov. 4, 2019

The Park PPEA Committee and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission held a joint meeting to discuss updates to the park plans.

Sept. 9, 2019

The Town of Christiansburg held an open house information session on the park to provide an update to residents about where we are in the process of designing the proposed park and to collect feedback from residents so that those comments can be taken into consideration as the design process moves forward.

The information displayed during the meeting can be found at the links below.

July 23, 2019

Christiansburg Town Council voted 6-0 to enter into an agreement with Faulconer Construction Company for the design of a park on the former Truman Wilson Property off Peppers Ferry Road.

Jan. 2019

The Town began reviewing three PPEA proposals. The Town initially received an unsolicited design proposal from Branch. After advertising for competing proposals, the Town received a revised proposal from Branch, as well as a proposal from EC Pace Company and Faulconer Construction Company. All three proposals are linked below.

Documents supporting the conceptual design proposal solicitation can be viewed here.