Project Details

A 3.5 acre parcel of land was gifted to the Town of Broadway in 2010. The parcel is located in the flood plain along Linville Creek and lies to the south side of Turner Avenue across from the Broadway Heritage Park. Development of this property is limited due to its location in the flood plain.

The Broadway Lions Club assessed recreational and event needs in the Town of Broadway in an effort to determine needs in the town that our club can assist in filling. Needs identified are:

  • Parking – activities in Heritage Park and downtown Broadway require parking facilities in excess of those currently available. This plan provides for up to 200 parking spaces.

  • Safe and Accessible Pathway - A pathway from Heritage Park to the events parking will extend under the Turner Avenue bridge over Linville Creek to provide a safe route.

  • Extended Walking Trail – The Heritage Park walking trail is used extensively, and this plan will increase the existing walking trail by approximately 0.25 mile.

  • Event Facilities – Heritage Park is currently the site of several festival, holiday, and musical events that draw large crowds - both from the local Broadway community and the surrounding area of Rockingham County. These events occupy the entire park, including heavy use of public spaces like the children’s playground, walking trail, and picnic pavilion. Additional facilities are desirable to expand opportunities for events.

    • Events Stage and Viewing Area - An events stage would allow more flexibility for events in the park. This plan will accommodate more than one simultaneous event, or for larger events where multiple bands might be desired. Plans for a multi-use structure that can house an events stage or alternatively be used as a picnic pavilion is part of this proposal. A large elevated and protected events lawn will provide for events viewing.

    • Food Truck Provisions – Events frequently involve food trucks and concessionaires that require unique infrastructure. The existing Heritage Park currently does not have areas/spaces designed to accommodate food vendors or electrical or water hook-ups for them. This proposal will include an area for food trucks, and we look forward to working with local food trucks to provide the best accommodations for this amenity.

    • Restroom Facilities – Special events require restroom facilities in excess of those currently available. Restroom facilities will be part of the pavilion/stage building.

  • Shenandoah Rail Trail – Heritage Park is located at the southern terminus of the anticipated trail to be constructed along the existing Norfolk-Southern Railroad corridor that extends from Broadway to Front Royal. This project will support the needed parking and events associated with the rail trail. The project master plan includes provisions for shower facilities and for bus and/or RV parking.

Frequently Asked Questions

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  • The property is located to the south of Turner Avenue across from Heritage Park in the Town of Broadway, Virginia.

  • The property is 3.496 acres.

  • The Town of Broadway was gifted this parcel of land and is currently the owner. The Broadway Lions Club has no aspirations of owning the property and the intent is for the property to remain under town ownership.

  • The purpose of the project is to develop a parcel of land that is owned and maintained by the Town of Broadway, Virginia, into a park that serves as an asset for the Broadway community. The project is intended to make the property user-friendly, safe and accessible and complement Heritage Park. We anticipate the improvement of the property to bring visitors to Broadway who will not only attend our events and use our parks, but shop in our businesses and eat in our restaurants.

  • The Town of Broadway team members currently mow the property and execute repairs and maintenance on the roadway and stream bank along Linville Creek. The town also cleans up litter and debris from trees along the creek, some of which are aging or overgrown and sustain damage and catch debris during high water conditions.

  • The property is currently used as overflow vehicle parking for events at Heritage Park and downtown Broadway.

  • Event attendees parking in this field must enter through a narrow entrance (only suitable for one car). They must then walk up the narrow entrance road and cross traffic along Turner Avenue to travel to their event destination. Congestion in the roadway from entering and existing vehicles results in hazardous conditions for both motorists and pedestrians. The town does attempt to improve safety and awareness of the hazards when these events take place, but this comes at an expense to the town.

  • The Broadway Lions Club carries a major portion of the cost including all design fees and permitting. The project is also supported by grants from the Lions of Virginia Foundation and the Rotary International Foundation. A District and Club Community Impact Grant from the Lions Club International Foundation is anticipated coming soon and we continue to work with Rockingham County, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the U.S. Department of Defense on grant opportunities. The current proposal does not anticipate any financial support from the town for development of this project. The Broadway Lions Club intends to proactively pursue funding, including grants, to cover the project. The Broadway Lions Club will continue to plan for additional phases but will not initiate work until funding is secured.

  • We are excited to have the Rotary Club of Broadway-Timberville partnering with us for a portion of the project. We are hopeful that community-minded businesses, service organizations, civic clubs, and citizens will support this effort.

  • An adjoining property’s wet weather spring does drain onto this property. The property, as it exists, does not drain well resulting in large muddy areas following heavy rain or rainy season. These muddy conditions limit or prevent parking on this property and result in expense to the town as town team members monitor the extent of the wet area and maintain barricades to keep vehicles from encroaching into the hazardous areas. The first phase of this plan will include developing infrastructure to mitigate runoff and allow for all weather parking. The Broadway Lions and town leadership are working with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality on this project.  

  • The first phase of the project will address immediate needs of building a safe, two-way entrance and improve drainage as the property will continue to be used for parking.

  • The Broadway Lions Club will continue to plan for additional phases but will not initiate work until funding is secured. The longer-term plan provides for an environmentally friendly design that will reduce the amount and improve the quality of storm water runoff into Linville Creek. Additionally, there are plans for a picnic pavilion, restrooms and second event venue as the use of the facility grows. It also includes provisions for amenities for visitors when the much-anticipated Shenandoah Rail Trail becomes a reality.

  • Be sure to check back often to this website as we share more details and follow us on Facebook at Broadway Lions Club.

Location

The Broadway Lions Park will be located south of the existing Heritage Park across Turner Avenue.