Welch in McDowell County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Marthan H. Moore Riverfront Park

— City of Welch, West Virginia — Est. 1894 —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

1. Marthan H. Moore Riverfront Park Marker

Inscription. Martha H. Moore Riverfront Park was developed in the aftermath of the devastating flood of May 2002. Several buildings along McDowell Street in the downtown area were damaged repeatedly to an extent that some of the structures had to be demolished for safety reasons rather than being repaired again. The City Council and Mayor of Welch had several goals to utilize the newly emptied space in the downtown area. The city wanted to create a space that would display vision and imagination; enhance the quality of life for residents, visitors and businesses; develop a visually pleasing environment for the downtown area that not only included green spaces with access to the river for recreation, but also streetscape improvements which would emphasize and play off the historic value of the City; and connect the new downtown development with Linkous Park, a more traditional park that includes tennis courts, swimming pool and miniature golf, skateboard park and walking train.

The designers felt that it was necessary to preserve some of the existing elements of the site. Therefore, during construction, the foundation walls of the

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razed structures were left in place to provide additional historic character. In addition, remnants of a basement in one of the razed structures was transformed into an amphitheater rather than being filled in. The project was designed to withstand flooding and make flood cleanup simple and quick. In fact, the new park successfully withstood flooding during construction resulting in minimal cleanup and loss of contractor time. Improvements to the park were designed to complement the existing historical downtown. The park embraces the Tug River and its effect on the city rather than ignoring it or fearing its periodic flooding.

The park received the 2009 General Design Honor design award from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). The park was designed by the staff of Triad Engineering of Dunbar, West Virginia. Joe Young was the landscape architect on the project and presented the project in completion. The park was completed in 2009 and named by Welch City Council for Mayor Martha H. Moore, whose inspiration and tireless work brought the project to completion.

Erected 2009.

Topics. This historical marker

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 24, 2021

2. Marthan H. Moore Riverfront Park Marker

is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 2009.

Location. 37° 25.988′ N, 81° 35.146′ W. Marker is in Welch, West Virginia, in McDowell County. It is on Stewart Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Welch WV 24801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southern Coalfields.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Martha H. Moore Parkway (a few steps from this marker); Welch History (within shouting distance of this marker); Heartland Corridor Project (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Welch Mural (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); McDowell County Courthouse / Sid Hatfield (about 400 feet away); Welch (about 500 feet

Marthan H. Moore Riverfront Park Mural image. Click for full size.

Mural by Tom Acosta. Photograph by J.J. Prats, July 24, 2021

3. Marthan H. Moore Riverfront Park Mural

This view is south from marker’s location.

away); McDowell County Courthouse (about 500 feet away); Hatfield & Chambers (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Welch.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,053 times since then and 130 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 2, 2021, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.