Garst Mill Park Greenway

Description

Elevation: 1022 ft.

This is a popular picnicking area among local members of the community. An easy 0.5-mile paved trail follows Mudlick Creek, traversing open meadows and stands of mixed hardwoods. Native flora have been planted to enhance naturally occurring wildlife within this park. Bald cypress, river birch, red maple, willows, and dogwoods provide cover for typical low-elevation woodland breeders such as eastern wood-pewee, Carolina chickadee, northern flicker, and wood thrush. The creek holds treasures such as green heron. Green frog may be found along creek edges, but are likely to flush, diving into the creek, at the first notice of an intruder. Open areas are home to American goldfinch, indigo bunting, and field sparrow. Forest edges nearby flash with the brilliant blue hues of eastern bluebird. Look for eastern towhee, gray catbird, and song and chipping sparrows along brushy edges as well. Butterflies visit blooming milkweeds, asters, and coneflowers. Look for cabbage white, clouded sulphur, dun skipper, and eastern tiger swallowtail.

Directions

Physical Address: 2699 Willowlawn St, Cave Spring, VA 24018

From Salem, head south on Roanoke Blvd, turn right onto Electric Rd, turn left onto Carriage Dr/Grandin Rd SW, turn right onto Willowlawn St, turn right onto Garst Mill Park Rd, and follow it to the parking lot.