Pocket Park Planning
Downtown Christiansburg, Inc., (DCI), after completing surveys with area residents, announced the selected design of a future pocket park to be constructed in downtown Christiansburg. The pocket park will feature outdoor seating and professionally-designed landscaping. The park will be located between the wings of The Great Road on Main at 100 West Main Street, facing the main road. The space is currently an open area covered in grass and open to the public.
The selected park design was drawn up by Balzer and Associates in Christiansburg. DCI is a 501c3 non-profit organization, whose mission supports the revitalization and promotion of downtown Christiansburg as a destination for visitors and residents as well as a vibrant economic center for businesses.
DCI received a $3,000 grant from Real Action Leadership Learning (Rally) SWVA in August of 2019 in order to seed a community project. Rally SWVA is building community leadership capacity and reinforcing collaborative, entrepreneurial communities across the region. A strategy of the Opportunity SWVA initiative, Rally SWVA is an action learning mini-grant program that engages community leaders to work together to make their community a better place for small businesses.
The selected design uses a radial approach with a plant-lined walkway. It draws users physically and visually to the historic bell that once hung in the steeple of the church that became the Great Road on Main. Seating opportunities for small groups near the bell area and a circular walk that surrounds the bell showcase colorful seasonal plantings. The various features will allow visitors to experience the park from a number of vantage points.
Once the pocket park was chosen as the major objective of the Rally Grant, two surveys were conducted. The first determined the style, design, and ambiance of the park. The survey showed that respondents wanted seating in a relaxed and peaceful place that was well-landscaped with a variety of flowers, plants and trees. From that survey, two designs were drawn and a second survey chose the winning design.
The ambitious design will require more funding. DCI is working on several ideas including commemorative pavers and sponsorships of plants and fixtures. Those interested in helping to fund, or to help with planting and construction, are urged to contact DCI through their website, http://www.downtownchristiansburg.org.
