In June 1933, workmen from the Civilian Conservation Corps, which had a small camp south of town, began building walkways and bridges along Walnut Branch and lining the slopes of the waterway with curving stone retaining walls.

Dams crossed by stepping stones, low falls, and quiet pools were built along the natural course of the waterway that passes along the edge of the city's downtown.

Landscaping was minimal, due to the native trees in place and the natural beauty of the location, but included ferns, elephant ears, and umbrella plants, which like boggy soil.

Most of the park is about two stories lower than the streets of downtown, which with the humidity from the flowing stream and shade from the tree canopy creates its own microclimate.

Fear that breeding mosquitoes in the small ponds could possibly spread polio led to the demolition of the stepping stone dams along the waterway.

As the final blow, the United States Army Corps of Engineers channelized much of the upstream course, bulldozing oaks to straighten it and speed the flow of runoff, which dumped more floodwater on the lower section.

Commemorative plaques mounted to the entrances on the park's pedestrian bridge were placed to honor the contributions of the people who made this project possible.