At River Legacy Nature Center, we are always looking for ways to improve our space for visitors, ensuring that everyone who walks through our doors experiences a welcoming, safe, and sustainable environment.

Recently, we faced a significant challenge with flooding in our parking lot and walkways due to inefficient water drainage. Thanks to our partnership with Arlington Parks and Recreation, this issue has now been resolved with a carefully planned and executed update to our walkways and surrounding landscape.

Tackling the Challenge: Engineering a Solution

The primary issue our parking lot faced was excess water accumulation during heavy rains, which often led to flooding on the walkways. The existing drainage system was unable to funnel water efficiently, leading to standing water that posed a safety hazard and threatened the integrity of the surrounding landscape.

Understanding the importance of addressing this issue, Matias Almanza and his team from Arlington Parks and Recreation took on the challenge. Their approach involved excavating the existing stone pathways and adjusting the angles to ensure that water could naturally flow toward the designated drains. This was no small task—finding the perfect angle for optimal drainage required extensive planning and precision.

Once the angles were successfully corrected and water was properly flowing into the drainage system, the next step was landscaping the surrounding area to prevent erosion. This was done using specially selected rocks that serve a dual purpose: allowing water to pass through freely while stabilizing the land and soil. This prevents erosion and maintains the integrity of the pathways, ensuring a durable and visually appealing solution.

Aesthetic and Functional Enhancements

Beyond improving functionality and safety, the landscaping upgrades have elevated the beauty of the Nature Center’s walkways. The carefully chosen stones and landscaping elements not only serve a practical role in preventing soil displacement, but they also create a natural, welcoming aesthetic that enhances the overall experience for visitors. The result is a harmonious blend of nature and infrastructure, reflecting River Legacy Foundation’s commitment to preserving the environment while making it more accessible for all.

The Power of Partnership: Arlington Parks and Recreation’s Vital Role

The success of this project highlights the incredible partnership between River Legacy Nature Center and Arlington Parks and Recreation. Their dedication to maintaining River Legacy Parks, including the Nature Center, is invaluable to our mission of environmental education, conservation, and community engagement.

Shannon Porter, Executive Director of River Legacy Foundation, expressed deep gratitude for this collaboration:

“We are incredibly appreciative of everything Arlington Parks and Recreation does for us. Their dedication, support, and helping hand ensure that we can continue serving our community effectively. We simply wouldn’t be able to accomplish what we do without them.”

A Warm Welcome for Every Guest

The walkway enhancements also reinforce our mission to make every guest feel welcome and valued. From the moment visitors arrive, they should experience the warmth and hospitality that define River Legacy Nature Center.

As Becky Gerro, Director of Development at River Legacy Foundation, beautifully stated:

“We at the foundation work very hard to welcome all guests and ensure they know that this is their Nature Center. The work done in our parking lot is like rolling out a red carpet for them. We want to make sure our parking lot is as safe as possible for our guests. This project shows how important they are to the success of River Legacy. Their partnership is a treasure.”

Brittni Greenberg, Marketing Coordinator of River Legacy Foundation, shared her gratitude:

“We are beyond thankful for the help and support Arlington Parks and Recreation provides. Whether it’s ensuring our trails remain accessible, lending a hand with our biggest community events, helping us unload visiting exhibits, or tackling large-scale projects like this parking lot update, they are always there when we need them. One time, they even climbed on top of our building to hang a massive banner! Their hard work truly enhances everything we do at the Nature Center, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their partnership.”

Moving Forward: A Sustainable and Accessible Future

With this vital improvement now in place, we are confident that River Legacy Nature Center will continue to be a safe, welcoming, and environmentally conscious space for all visitors. These updates not only enhance accessibility and safety but also align with our broader mission of sustainable land management and preserving natural ecosystems for generations to come.

We extend our deepest appreciation to Matias Almanza and the Arlington Parks and Recreation team for their dedication and hard work on this project. Their expertise and commitment to community service have left a lasting impact on our Nature Center.

We invite everyone to come see these improvements firsthand and enjoy all that River Legacy has to offer! Whether you are here for a peaceful nature walk, an educational program, or simply to connect with the beauty of the outdoors, your experience begins the moment you step onto our grounds.

Thank you for being a part of our River Legacy community.