Property donation made by Richardson Family

The Town of Walnut, in conjunction with the Department of Parks and Recreation, is pleased to announce the acceptance of a very generous property donation on the north side of Highway 72 from the Curtis and Billie Richardson family. To show our immense gratitude, the Town has chosen to name the new development, which will occupy this property, Richardson Sportsplex.

This is the first step of another exciting new journey for our beloved Town and although we recognize that it will take time, patience, and partnership for this project to reach completion, we trust this gift will provide innumerable opportunities and precious memories for the families in our community for generations to come.

Many sincere thanks to the entire Richardson family and glory, honor, and praise to our Creator, from Whom all blessings flow.

Walnut Welcomes Love’s Travel Stop

On December 11th, 2018, Town of Walnut administration, utility personnel, police and volunteer fire department members met with representatives of Love’s Travel Stops as they presented the Town with the initial site plan for their development to be located on Highway 72, just west of the Highway 15 intersection. This project will break ground soon with plans to be in full operation in 2019.

For more information on Love’s Travel Stops, visit their website HERE.

For more information on opportunities in the Town of Walnut, visit our Business and Industry page HERE.

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Walnut Swimming Pool Hours (Summer Only)

Hours are Monday-Saturday from noon until 4pm. Admission is $5.00 per person. Children 3 years and under are free.

Looking for a cool way to get some exercise this summer? Swimming is a great way to burn calories, improve cardiovascular fitness and increase muscle tone!

Private parties are welcome.  Please contact Heather Cardwell, pool manager, for fees and scheduling at 662-672-3712.

The Well is Expanding!

Members at the Walnut Wellness Center will notice some new features in the next couple of months.  Phase III has been approved and funded, thanks to a grant from BCBS of MS Foundation and our ongoing partnership with Walnut Elementary School.  New flooring will be installed in the two large rooms on the Southeast corner of The Well facility.  The first room will serve as a multipurpose room, capable of hosting wellness initiative meetings, workshops and exercise classes.  It will also be outfitted with three projection systems that provide an interactive gaming experience on the floor!  It is our hope that families will spend more time together developing healthy habits, which in turn improves their quality of life.  Closed-circuit cameras will capture the kids playing and exercising in the multipurpose room so they can be monitored while mom and dad are exercising in the main gym area.  The back room will feature a kitchen/classroom, complete with all the equipment, utensils and prep stations to train people how to prepare and cook healthy meals.  It will host up to six couples at a time.  For more information, please visit the Community page.

The Well: Walnut's Wellness Center is Open!

We are pleased to announce that the Wellness Center is now open for use and memberships are available.  CLICK HERE for the brochure that explains rates and membership options and discounts.  CLICK HERE to download the registration packet.  (If you fill this out before arrival, it will save you lots of time!)  Open House is scheduled December 16th (10a-2p) to introduce you to this amazing resource.  Meanwhile, if you have specific questions, please email healthywalnut@comcast.net or call City Hall at 662-223-4405.

Many thanks to the Walnut Wellness Committee for diligently pursuing this goal for the past four years and the many additional volunteers who have been working recently to meet the opening date.  Coming soon: a complete list of donors who helped to make this possible and a little background on Walnut's journey to wellness that began in earnest in 2013.  We are Mississippi's Healthiest hometown.

Family Christmas Gift Ideas

Are you already on overload for Christmas?  We always encourage the community to shop locally...and every item below has a local option!  We have some excellent gift suggestions for you!

1. Give your family time.  That's what they really want!  What better way than to bring everyone to the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Walnut?  The parade starts at 7p.  Yes, you can watch it anywhere, but downtown is the place to be!  Better still, engage your whole family, friends, church and/or civic group and build a float!  You'll have lots of quality time working together and experiencing the joys of the season prior to and during the parade.

2. How about a tankless gas water heater?  You'll save more than $100 per year by converting to a tankless natural gas system.  They will last about twice as long as a tank because there is no sediment building up to reduce tank life.  You won't be keeping 40 or 50 gallons of water hot all the time...even when you're not home.  And with a tankless system you're not going to run out of hot water even with consecutive showers, clothes and dish washings!

3. The third option is a new key fob.  This isn't just any old fob.  This one provides your family access to the Walnut Wellness Center! It’s perfect for that whole-family Christmas gift!  The gift of health is one of the most sincere and important wishes we convey on those we love.  This option provides a pathway for that to actually happen.  There are obvious and major health benefits to fitness, but also know it can strengthen your mind and lift your spirits.  Weight management, motivation, and social interaction provide added benefit.  You can download the Walnut Wellness Center brochure, which includes a registration form and membership rates for individuals and families.  Please note, discounts are stackable.  A senior who is also a veteran will receive BOTH discounts.  Click HERE to get started!

Giving a family gift is a great way to build relationships and memories.  We recommend all three options!

From Our Friends at Walnut Runs:

Hey guys! It's renewal time! It's been 3 years since we started this group!  What's happened during that period?  We've helped the races in town by our sponsorship and participation.  We helped people find their love of running/walking again (some for the first time!).  Some were so encouraged by you, they started making better choices in other areas to improve their health.  We are proud of you all for your individual accomplishments, and for your consistency when it's hard.  You motivate us to lace up our shoes and get out the door!

CLICK HERE for the renewal form. Please pass it on to people you think might want to join Walnut Runs. Happy running/walking/moving!

Wellness Initiative Update

The Wellness Center at 130 Smith Drive is now under renovation for a late summer opening.  Crews are strengthening the building with external fiberglass and concrete board panels and adding several windows to brighten up the place.  Plumbing has been roughed-in for the restroom expansion and new offices are being constructed in the back of the building to accommodate a soon-to-be-announced anchor tenant.  All of the wellness equipment has been delivered and is ready to set up...both inside the facility as well as the outdoor equipment for the three fitness zones that will be constructed around town.  Meanwhile, Walnut's Healthy Heroes closed out the school year by presenting a program for all Walnut Elementary Students on May 5th.  Each month, Walnut PD and FD personnel visit the school to promote healthy choices and exercise.  We especially appreciate WES and our police and fire departments for taking the lead on this portion of the greater wellness initiative.  It is our hope that all of these events, services and resources will greatly improve the quality of life in the Walnut community.

If you or your organization would like to contribute toward completion of the wellness center, please reply to healthywalnut@comcast.net.  Let's get moving!

Policy for Reserving Community Center Updated

Fees for the community center rental must be paid in full at the time the building is reserved.  Any cancellation within seven days of the planned event date will result in forfeiture of the fees.  During the holidays, several people "reserved" the facility but did not show up.  Other folks who needed to use the facility were turned away.  We hope this change in policy will benefit everyone.

Fees: $100 for 8am-1:00pm, $100 for 2pm-7pm, or $125 for all day.

BCBS Awards Walnut Additional $75,000

The Town of Walnut is honored to be given another award from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Mississippi Foundation to complement our Healthiest Hometown status.  $75,000 will be invested in three outdoor exercise equipment stations that will be installed at Walnut Elementary School, along the walking track adjacent to the tee ball field, and next to Kidz Town playground.  It is part of a program designed by BCBS to introduce children to our hometown heroes.  The Walnut Police Department will present monthly programs to children in grades K-6 at Walnut to improve their quality of life.  Topics include increased awareness of healthy lifestyles, how to stay active and fit, and how to make healthy food choices.  Support for the classes will be provided by Walnut Volunteer Fire Department.  The overall program will highlight Walnut's hometown heroes to build relations and hopefully spur an interest in community service.  Click HERE for more information on the grant application.

Tornado Tears Through NW Tippah County

The tornado arrived just before 5 p.m. on December 23, 2015.  It devastated several communities that encompass Walnut to the West and North.  Camp Hill, Marlow, Oakland, Threeforks, and Brownfield communities were all hit hard. More than 100 homes were destroyed or damaged. Over time, those material goods will be replaced.. Meanwhile, let's commit to guarding and improving relationships.  We have a great opportunity to harness the energy expended in the recovery effort to strengthen and expedite it.  Our thoughts and prayers continue for everyone affected by the storm.

For the latest updates from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency, click HERE.