Environmental Education
at Valle Crucis Community Park
The park’s founders believed the park should serve as a land trust for Valle Crucis, preserving green space and protecting our community’s precious natural resources. Today, we also seek to cultivate a new generation of environmental stewards by providing active and passive environmental education opportunities for visitors of all ages.
Junior Naturalist Program
Valle Alive! 2024 Schedule
Wednesday Guided Birding Walk
Butterfly Monitoring Program
Ask A Naturalist
Self-Guided Talking Tree Trail
Explore on Your Own
While in the park, take some time to appreciate the significant natural areas. Our park is located in a floodplain: You may notice standing water, sand, and other debris. Flooding is part of our natural cycle, and we embrace it!
Three major restoration projects have been undertaken in the park to help manage stormwater and protect our precious water resources. The large wetland area was once a man-made pond. Depending on the amount of recent rain, this area could be full of water or very dry. Step out onto the two viewing platforms: You’re likely to spot turtles and lots of water-loving birds.
Extensive work also was completed to restore the banks of the Watauga River and Dutch Creek. Please feel free to explore these areas, but use the existing footpaths to help prevent erosion.