2025 Picnic Area - Demonstration Rain Water Garden - Townsend Express
Top Picture - Picnic Area
Next - Bike Rack, Porta-loo, Dog Waste Bag Dispenser, Bear-proof Trash Can
Next - Demonstration Rain Water Garden
Last Picture - Beginnings of the Townsend Express
A Project Put In Motion
A few years ago when creating the Master Plan for the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum (TRWA) we saw the need for a picnic area. At the north end of the TRWA was a large area the would be swampy when it rained and dried out in the beating sun. The plan called for a ADA compliant picnic table and bear-proof trash container which have been installed. In addition after careful consideration, a children's picnic table, bike rack and dog waste bag dispenser were also installed. An area was also created to move the existing porta-loo back under the trees with a path leading to it. The south end of this area being very near a major drain to the Little River from Lamar Alexander Parkway then gave us the idea to use part of the are for a Demonstration Rainwater Garden and this to was put into the Master Plan and has been installed. After creating the Children's Play Area with the Old 73 Wooden Play Truck we also decided that we would put in the Townsend Express a five car Wooden Play Train. Construction of the Townsend Express is underway. A pollinator Garden has been started along the Lamar Alexander Parkway as well as Blueberry and Muscadine Grapes. In between the Picnic Area and Demonstration Rainwater we also decided to put in a water collecting dry creek and plantings of native trees and plants.
The Volunteers
It took a groups of dedicated volunteers to make this project a success. If you get a chance thanks these individuals for there time and effort on such an outstanding project. In alphabetical order: Todd Atkins, Gina Barnett, Kay Goodwin, Allison Pearson, Rodney Pearson, Mark Seder, and Erica Waechter, Not only were they working on this project but a the same time keeping the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum looking fantastic for all our many visitors. GREAT JOB!
Volunteers Planting the Demonstration Rainwater Garden
Picnic Area/Rainwater Garden Story
This is the story told in 4 Parts of the vision, implementation, and fund raising, as well as the thought processes that went into the overall design of this project. Over the next couple week each part of the story will be released complete with pictures and information about that particular project part.
Part 1 - The 2025 Picnic Area Fund Drive Results .
Part 2 - The Picnic Area
Part 3 - The Demonstration Rain Water Garden
Part 4 - The Townsend Express. All Aboard!
We will start this week with Part 1 - The 2025 Picnic Area Fund Drive Results .
This past April we start a fund drive for this project with a goal of $7000 and we were able to best that by over $400. A special thanks to all of those that had contributed to this fund drive and in particular GBU Life for matching the first $2000 that were donated.
READ MORE: Part 1 - The 2025 Picnic Area Fund Drive Results
READ MORE: Part 2 - The Picnic Area Completed
READ MORE: Part 3 - The Demonstration Rainwater Garden
READ MORE: Part 4 - The Townsend Express Is Ready For Boarding!
View of the Picnic Area - Demonstration Rainwater Garden - Townsend Express from Above
