Greensboro is located on the west bank of the Monongahela River in Greene County, Pennsylvania.  It lies directly across the river from New Geneva, Fayette County, and just a couple of miles down river from Friendship Hill National Park.  A broader perspective places Greensboro 70 miles south of Pittsburgh and 10 miles north of the West Virginia state line.

Greensboro is an essay in time.  It tells the story of the significance of slack water, Friendship Hill and the dreams of  Washington for a canal crossing the continental divide, connecting the Potomac and Ohio river systems.  Coal mining at the beginning of the twentieth century created a demand for improved transportation on the River, and the construction of Lock #7 was the result.  Friendship Hill and Lock 7 are points of definition and change in the history of transportation on  the River.  Washington, D.C. on the Potomac: Greensboro, on the Monongahela: both laid out in the same era, and Greensboro still has its original system of streets in ordinary daily use, paved but pretty much unchanged otherwise!Elias Stone, the  Founder, would recognize them. How many places can you go and find an undisturbed late 18th century street system used and in good condition?  Two centuries of housing, from log houses to mobile homes, both valid forms of vernacular architecture.  Greensboro contains the reality of how ordinary people have lived since the ratification of the Constitution!

A place from which the western exploration and settlement of the United States was launched, George Rogers Clark and Daniel Boone.  A place of significant manufacturing, Greensboro produced glass and pottery which are now sought after by collectors of antiques worldwide.  A place of commerce and trade, Greensboro was a destination for river boats, and a place where Presidents and heroes visited.

There is indeed something extraordinary about Greensboro.  It is historically significant, it enjoys a physically beautiful location on a river. and its plan has not been altered to accommodate the automobile.  One is amply rewarded by visiting it.

TAKEN FROM THE TEXT OF AN ARTICLE WRITTEN BY KENNETH PAYNE

Kenneth Payne has written several papers about Greensboro
after visiting the town back in 1992.
He lives in Providence , Rhode Island.

MonView Park

In  1953, a dream became a reality.  RoGene South, Lena May and Julia Rumble envisioned a Community facility which would include a swimming pool.

These women took their idea to the Women’s Club of Southeastern Greene County which then spearheaded a drive among other service clubs of the area, including the Greensboro/Monongahela Township Volunteer Fire Co., the Lion’s Club and V.F.W. Post at Greensboro.

An Ad Hoc Committee was formed with William Gabler  as Chairman, RoGene South, Secretary and R. Donald Ross, Treasurer.  An application for incorporation was made, J.D. South suggested the name ‘MonView Park’ and thus  the present facility came into being.  In order to obtain funds with which to build a pool, a number of persons signed a note at First National Bank (Community Bank) of Carmichaels guaranteeing  repayment of a loan;  non-interest bearing bonds were sold and a  system of payroll deductions was worked out with Duquesne Light Co.

Over the last 50 years the vision has grown and developed to include not only a swimming pool and bath-house but also a Ballfield, a skating rink, several playing courts,  picnic shelters and play areas. People from all over the world have marveled at and enjoyed the hospitality of MonView Park.  The picnic shelters are reserved years in advance for family reunions, etc.

For 50 years, MonView Park was administered by a self perpetuating Board of Directors.  The four organizations each had three members on the board. When the Lion’s Club closed, the Nathanael Greene Historical Foundation  became a  voting  member.

The original members on the Park Board were as  follows:

• Women’s Civic Club-RoGene South, Julia Rumble   and Lena May
• Fire Department-Price Harvey, Floyd Davis and Donald Ross
• Lion’s Club-WilliamGabler, Albert Hood and     Duane  Ridgeway
• V.F.W.- Gregory  Giardini , Joseph Zalar, Sr., and  Edward Kendralla

In 2004, with donations from local citizens, many fundraisers and grants from the County and the State, the Park was refurbished and the pool was able to open for another season.

In May of 2005, after public meetings and serious consideration the Park Board voted to turn the Park over to the County to run with the only stipulation being that if the park would ever close it  would revert  back to the Park Board.

The County, under the direction of Jake Blaker of Parks and Recreation has made many needed improvements in a short period of time.  If you would like to make a reservation for one of the eight picnic shelters or book a swimming party call: Parks and Recreation of Greene County at 724-852-5323.