Marking the Wildflowers Along the Clarksville Greenways for Educational Purposes

I am going to share with you all a special occasion for my garden club; though the occasion has actually been going on for more than one year.

My garden club, the Beachaven Garden Club, decided more than one year ago to take on a civic project. The civic project needed to be something we could all do and it had to be something we could keep up with. You know it is mighty hard to get anyone to do anything nowadays so we picked our project carefully. It had to be garden related and it had to make an impact as well as be a beautiful thing. We, as a club, decided we would label the wildflowers found along our very own Clarksville Greenway.

We began with monthly walks last year. At first we used labels with hand written names. The writing was only a temporary thing because despite our best efforts, the writing really was not readable for people walking along the greenway. Even so, many people commented on the labels and we all enjoyed the fact that local folks were taking notice of our wildflowers. 

We then did some research and decided that we should go all out with this project and improve upon our markers. After some research we found a great way to label the wildflowers. The result is as you see pictured above. These labels were ordered locally (good idea Diann), then attached to the plant stakes we already had on hand. Each of these labels costs our club approximately $3 not including the plant stake itself. So far we have identified over 30 types of wildflowers. We have also kept track of our labels (fairly well) and in the year that we've been labeling the wildflowers the labels are staying in place and seem to be holding up well. The chance that they might walk off is always a real possibility with any labeling job in a garden or natural area but we are pleased to say disappearing labels along the greenway have not been a big issue.

Along with the labels we decided to let the users of the Clarksville Greenway know who exactly it was that was responsible for labeling the wildflowers. After some back and forth paperwork we had a signed memorandum between our garden club and the Mayor of Clarksville (Mayor Kim McMillan). We were thrilled. Not only we were now legal but the city agreed to help us out by printing a wonderful reflective sign for installation at the Greenway trailhead. You can see the sign in the first picture.


As we all met for our walks we not only gained fellowship but also knowledge of local wildflowers. It was truly a learning experience for us all. Here is a picture of a group of lovely ladies who went out last month for a walk in preparation for the emergence of the spring wildflowers. From left to right are: Charene, Diann, Dianne, Lili, Eddie, Irene, and Helga. I am kneeling. You can tell by all of our coats the weather was a bit chilly that day.

I normally don't like pictures of myself but I really liked this picture that one of the members took (I believe it was Helga). I am holding out a sprig of toothwort. Toothwort is a very common Tennessee wildflower.

This picture was taken on the day of the dedication. Members and VIPs include (from left to right): Mayor Kim McMillan, Donna, Charene, Eddie, Lili, Mary Clair, Helga, Diann, and the Clarksville Tree Forester Josh. I am kneeling in front.

I'd like to invite you all out for a Montgomery County Master Gardener walk tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM to look at the wildflowers Beachaven Garden Club labeled along the greenway....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden

Walking Along the Clarksville Greenways

Walking is the absolutely best exercise in the world-in my humble opinion. I try to walk as much as I can and many of you know I normally walk the Fort Campbell Clarksville Base Trail. Well, that trail has become a bit too long for me since I had an injury to my foot (avulsion fracture) in October of last year. That fracture and the resulting pain that lasted nearly five months really laid me low. I was unable to walk for exercise during my recovery. I'm happy to say I am now better and have begun walking again. I think walking, in addition to being good for your body, is also good for your mind-and who doesn't need that? I decided I needed to find a shorter walking trail than the Clarksville Base Trail because I did not think I would be able to handle the nearly 4.5 mile long walk right away. My next choice in trails to walk was to walk the Clarksville Greenway Pollard Road Trailhead. 


I was actually familiar with the route because my garden club (Beachaven Garden Club) has taken on a civic project that involves marking the wildflowers along the trail. As part of that project I have walked the first section of the greenway a couple of times but never have I walked it for exercise. Now that my foot is fairly healed I have been out walking the trail for exercise with my dear husband (Mr. Fix-it) and my one dog that can actually walk, Lady. The area is so very peaceful. The barn pictured above is classic Tennessee and only one example of the beautiful scenery you will see on this trail.

The right side of the trail slopes down a bit and here is yet another barn. I love the bucolic setting and wonderful field. The water in the distance is the Red River. The Clarksville Greenway is a walking trail that was made from the old trail of a railroad route that is no longer used. The trail follows the Red River according to an informative sign at the start of the Greenway.

The trail is all flat (at least the first mile of it is) and is wonderfully paved. Many Clarksville and local area residents walk or ride their bicycles along this trail. It is not uncommon to see whole families taking a stroll on a nice day. While the trail is flat the surrounding countryside includes not only barns, fields, and a river, but also some interesting rock formations.

The rock formations resemble rocks with warts-more rocks inside of the rocks. I think this is cherty limestone but do not know for sure.

The Greenway has a long beautiful bridge where you must cross over a steep gorge. The bridge is named the 'Raymond C. Hand Pass'. Both sides of the bridge contain plaques outlining Mr. Hand's many contributions to the community. It made for interesting reading for Mr. Fix-it. Lady was only concerned with the lady taking her picture-me!

And here is the long beautiful bridge. The gorge is quite deep. If you are afraid of heights you might feel a little queasy on this bridge but don't let that stop you from crossing over and continuing the Greenway trail as it is most fun walking it....

in the garden....

Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team, In the Garden