Latest News from the Townsend River Walk and Arboretum

2025 a Transformative Year at the TRWA.
Thanks to our generous financial donors and fantastic volunteers!

Reimagined as defined by Merriam-Webster is:
to imagine again or anew especially : to form a new conception of : re-create

The TRWA Reimagined, The Transformation is Coming into Focus!

Five years ago a Master Plan was developed for the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum.  It was an ambitious plan and one that was tweaked and adjusted but always on course for what a reimagined TRWA would be, a Nature Learning Park.  Building on what was completed by previous organizations and volunteers, the new additions have brought thousands of visitors to the TRWA in 2025.  Visitors from the local area as well as East TN, across the US and many parts of the world have visited to get a bit closer to nature, learn about trees and plants, discover a bit of history and bring their families to an environment where children are able to have fun, discover nature and start to expand their boundaries.

For those that are not familiar with the funding and labor associated with the TRWA, it is all volunteer and donor driven.  All labor is donated by our great group of volunteers.  There are NO wages paid.  All operating expenses to improve and maintain the TRWA come from donations.  There is no Federal, State or City Funds allocated to the TRWA.  (The City of Townsend does pay for the porta-loo and the City of Townsend Maintenance Department maintains the mown areas and does tree work when needed.)

A Big Thanks to Our Generous Donors.

This year, we received generous financial and in-kind donations from individuals and organizations from all over the state of Tennessee and beyond.  The total of financial donations amount was over $15,000 this year while in-kind donations were close to $6,000. The donated hours that the volunteers spent amounted to just under $42,000. These donations have allowed us to be one step closer to completing the vision of the TRWA becoming a Nature Learning Park that has complimented and integrated the existing trails and arboretum. It also has allowed us to provide the day to day maintenance required to keep a 6+ acre park welcoming to all visitors.

Our  Picnic Area, Demonstration Rainwater Garden and Townsend Express Train Fund Drive garnered over $7,000 of monetary donations, $1,000 of in-kind donations and several hundred volunteer hours. We were able to complete this project on-time and because of your generosity was able to add a Children's Picnic Table, Train, Dog Waste Station, Bear-proof Trash Can and two additional benches by the Townsend Express Train. A special thanks to GBU Life for providing over $2,400 in matching donations.

A generous private donation of $1500 and a hundred plus volunteer hours it allowed us to complete the "Rock" Native Pollinator Garden.  This was an unplanned addition but with our volunteers doing the heavy lifting we were able to construct and plant this garden by the first of December.

Once one of our many previous projects like the Spring/Summer Pollinator Garden or the Bluebell Trail are completed there is always ongoing maintenance and enhancements that require funding. Monetary donations of more than $5000 were contributed to our general maintenance fund this year.  Along with in-kind donations and hundreds of volunteer hours these contributions allowed us to maintain the TRWA (stone, mulch, lumber, repairs...), install over 20 new arboretum and garden signs, Invasive management, keep the Children's Discovery Garden/Faerie Gardens maintained and updated, and complete the construction and planting of the "Island" Pollinator Garden.  

A special thanks to Captain Dave Lavoie, of Little River Artistry in Townsend for his generous donation of wood carved squirrels, log chair and incredible storytelling chair. 

The Fantastic "8" TRWA Volunteer Team and More!

Our volunteers team has grown to eight core volunteers.  These volunteers do the heavy lifting at the TRWA,  from constructing and planting gardens to tidying up the Children's Discovery Garden and Faerie Gardens.  This group of volunteers gives 100% to the TRWA.  We also had this year again, a volunteer group of Ohio State students to help with invasive maintenance sponsored by Wanda DeWaard. 

We also would like to thank the City of Townsend for supplying the porta-loo, The City of Townsend Maintenance crew for the grass maintenance, trash removal and the occasional tree removal,  Paul Barnett for creating the wheels for the Townsend Express, the wonderful person that keeps the dog waste bags stocked and our TRWA neighbors for bringing us the occasional plate of delicious fresh baked chocolate chip cookies.   All our appreciated and we can't thank enough.

A Review of the 2025 Projects

Picnic Area, Demonstration Rainwater Garden and Townsend Express

2025 Main Project. Picnic Area, Demonstration Rainwater Garden, Townsend Express and More at the TRWA!

This area was a the culmination of of considerable planning, making adjustments as needed and plenty of hard work by our volunteer team.  The money raised for this project during our April Fund Raising allowed us to create an incredible area that has been well received by visitors locally, nationally and internationally.  Over 200 plants, trees and bushes were planted or seeded.  In the next few years as it grows up it will be a feast for the eyes.  Stop by and have a picnic, ring the bell on the train and learn about creating a Rainwater Garden to help control water runoff.

Read All About this Fantastic Project From Donations to Completion
Picnic Area at the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum
Read More!

Demonstration Rainwater Native Pollinator Garden
Read More!

The Townsend Express a Tribute to the Little River Railroad
Read More!

 The "Rock" Native Pollinator Garden

The "Rock" Native Pollinator Garden
Constructed and planted in honor of Norma K. Smith.

A 3 month project that was funded by a private donation in honor of Norma K. Smith.  This rock formation along Lamar Alexander Parkway was transformed by our volunteer team into a wonderful space with a bench, hand painted stepping stones, and our volunteer that took a header with only boots remaining, may they rest in peace.  Over 150 plants were planted in this 80 foot stretch.  Stop by on your walk along the Townsend Historical Trail and have a look.

Read More About the "Rock" Pollinator Garden

 The "Island" Native Pollinator Garden

The "Island" Native Pollinator Garden
Constructed and planted by the TRWA Volunteers in conjunction with www.pollinator.org 

The "Island" Native Pollinator Garden encompass the almost 500 ft. parameter of an island of trees on the north end of the TRWA.  It is the area between Lamar Alexander Parkway and the Trash Can/Porta-loo/Bike Rack.  This native pollinator garden was done in conjunction with www.pollinator.org .  We have been working for a couple years to remove invasive plants from the tree island and the surrounding area.  Some of the parameter was then cleared of sod and weeds then planted with seeds and plants to compliment the already growing Fall native plants.  A nice layer of mulch was added to keep moisture in the ground and to provide a weed barrier.  This area over the next few years will be expanded as time permits.  

Read More About the "Island" Pollinator Garden

The Rest of the 2025 Story

Along with all the projects mentioned above the volunteers kept the TRWA in incredible shape with weekly or as needed: general cleanup and maintenance; invasive plant removal; planting of trees and other plants; sign creation & installation; garden weeding and maintenance; seasonal decorations; website and social media updates; gravel and sand maintenance, trash cleanup and all the important tasks that make the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum what it is today.

Detailed plans for 2026 are still being worked out but will be as big or bigger than 2025.  More to come once they are finalized.

In the meantime if you would like to support our mission: 
To Support the development, preservation, and maintenance of the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum for current and future generations of local citizens and visitors, by building a community of donors, volunteers, and advocates.

Consider a Donation to the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum.  We accept: Credit Cards, ACH, Checks and Cash.
You can donate by completing the online donation form (even if you are donating by Cash or Check) using the link below.

Donate TODAY to Help Enhance & Maintain This Community Nature Learning Center!

(We are a 501c3 organization and all donations are considered tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.)

Stop by and see for yourself the progress that has been made throughout 2025 to the Townsend River Walk & Arboretum.  You won't be disappointed!

If you have any questions contact us.

Mark Seder - Project TRWA  - Townsend Riverwalk & Arboretum Coordinator