The Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg owns a five-acre tract of land immediately adjacent to the ballfields. Running along the east side of Walnut Branch, this property is being developed as a nature park for the enjoyment of the community and the benefit of the local environment.
Work completed to date includes the installation of a butterfly and pollinator garden, the removal of invasive plant species along the stream bank, and the planting of native vegetation. Future improvements will focus on stormwater quality, continued native planting, and enhancement of the forest understory.
What Has Been Accomplished
- Installed a butterfly and pollinator garden
- Removed invasive plants along Walnut Branch
- Planted native species suited to the local environment
What Comes Next
- Improve stormwater runoff quality on the site
- Expand the planting of native vegetation
- Enhance and restore the forest understory
- Provide more opportunities for outdoor learning and community enjoyment
Goals for the Nature Park
The Kiwanis Club’s vision is to create a nature park where residents, families, and youth can enjoy the outdoors while learning about native plants, pollinator species, stream health, and natural systems. The project is intended to serve both the community and the local environment.
Key priorities for the site include controlling invasive plants, establishing native vegetation, and improving the quality of stormwater flowing through the property and into Walnut Branch.
Planned Best Management Practices
Conservation Landscaping
Starting at the picnic shelter and extending approximately 350 linear feet along the west property line, conservation landscaping will be installed along the bank-top of Walnut Branch. This area will incorporate the recently established pollinator garden and extend toward the stream corridor.
Once established, this landscaped buffer will help improve the quality of stormwater runoff entering the site from lawns and hard surfaces to the east, including runoff flowing from Craig Mountain. All plant material will be native to the area, and invasive species will be removed before new plantings are installed.
Rain Garden 1
A rain garden will be installed north of the existing Kiwanis Park picnic shelter. It will be positioned to receive drainage from an off-site drainage structure located to the east.
The design will include gravel lenses and rock check dams to slow stormwater flow, reduce erosion, and encourage infiltration. Native plants suitable to the site’s moisture conditions will be used throughout the garden.
Rain Garden 2
A second rain garden will be installed adjacent to the Kiwanis picnic shelter. This garden will receive stormwater from part of Craig Mountain as well as runoff from the north side of the shelter.
Like the first rain garden, it will use native vegetation selected for local site conditions and will help slow, filter, and absorb runoff before it reaches the stream corridor.
Pet Waste Station
A pet waste station is also proposed for the site. Its final location will be selected in consultation with the Christiansburg Department of Parks and Recreation to support park use while helping protect water quality.
Design and Installation
The Kiwanis Club of Christiansburg includes professional engineers and landscape architects among its members, and their expertise is expected to help guide the design of these best management practices.
Installation will be carried out through a combination of hired landscape contractors, Kiwanis members, and community volunteers. This collaborative approach reflects the club’s commitment to practical stewardship, local service, and long-term environmental improvement.
The Kiwanis Nature Park is being developed as a place where environmental stewardship, community service, and outdoor learning come together for the benefit of Christiansburg.
Please contact the Nature Park Committee Chair about the content of this page.