The Luna Park Historic District will become much more visible this year with the addition of attractive street sign toppers and gateway signage. Over 163 residents and about 130 households participated in selecting the design, which was created by Luna Park resident, Corey Zinn. The locally driven project, initiated by the West Side Neighborhood Association (WSNA) and supported by the city of Charleston, represents a new model for local community development. Says WSNA Board member and Project Manager, Marylin McKeown, “It’s very exciting to work with residents on a fun project that will have tangible results that benefit the community.”

The historic district, which was designated in 2012 is named for Luna Park which was an amusement park from 1912-1923. A popular destination that featured a roller coaster, a dance pavilion, a public swimming pool, a roller rink, and live entertainment, the park attracted large crowds who came by steamboat and streetcar. Today this walkable neighborhood contains over 400 historically contributing structures representing a range of architectural styles and is home to an eclectic group of residents. However, it has no visual markings to distinguish it from the surrounding area, and many property owners are unaware of the benefits of living in a historic district, such as rehabilitation tax credits.

Since 2019, a group of Luna Park residents, including several WSNA board members, has met regularly to identify ways to elevate the visibility of the district and showcase its unique history. Financial support was provided by The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation with a significant in-kind contribution from city staff. Says McKeown, “Our committee started off discussing a lot of possible options for showcasing the district, and ultimately narrowed it down to three that were within budget: Street sign toppers, Gateway signs, and historical interpretive panels. Corey drafted some options for the street sign toppers and we narrowed it down to one design, with two different color schemes and two different border options, and then went out to the community for a vote.”

During the last two weeks of 2020, volunteers Alma Rodriquez, Katy Layne, Shauna Steadman, Gina Baisden Hays, and Sara Moore went door to door talking with residents and handing out flyers and postcards with the four options, and asked residents to vote on their favorite option for the street sign toppers. Residents had the option to take an online survey, leave a voicemail message on a phone number or mail in a postcard. Says Alma Rodriquez who spoke with 80 residents personally about the project, “We really worked hard to make sure that everyone who lived in the district had an opportunity to participate in the vote.”

The street sign toppers will be printed and mounted later this year. “The city has been a wonderful partner in this project. Lori Brannon in the Planning Department has been our primary liaison and Jeff Pierson, Director of Charleston’s Office of Public Art, is working with us to get some really beautiful gateway signs,” McKeown said.

Any Luna Park resident or property owner wishing to get involved in the project should check out the website www.lunaparkwv.com and the Facebook page.