Roanoke County Seeks Input in Creating Regional Park From Explore

Explore ParkRoanoke County will begin seeking input from area residents, leaders and stakeholder groups to create a master plan for Explore Park. When complete in early 2016, this plan will make specific recommendations for future park improvements while serving as a guide to manage the facility’s development over the next 20 years.

Four community meetings have been established to gather public feedback:

? Wednesdday, September 30 – 7:00 PM at Vinton War Memorial
? Thursdaay, October 1 – 10:00 AM at Green Ridge Recreation Center
? ;Monday, October 19 – 7:00 PM at Penn Forest Elementary School
?& Tuesday, October 20 – 7:00 PM at Salem Civic Center

Roanoke County has also reached out to representatives from community groups that have a special interest in the park and elected officials for topic-focused discussions such as outdoor recreation, environmental preservation, arts, heritage, economic development, and education. Citizens living near the park are invited to attend a meeting at Mount Pleasant Elementary School on Thursday, October 1 at 7:00 PM to discuss neighborhood specific issues.

Online resources about the master plan can be found at ExplorePark.org/MasterPlan. A community survey is now available on the site for individuals wishing to provide further feedback about the park’s future. This survey will be open now through October 31, 2015. The master plan website will be updated frequently with information about community meetings and overall progress. Email and text message updates are also available.

Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jason Peters has said a high level of citizen engagement is instrumental in creating a plan that works for our community. “Explore Park is a unique asset that should first and foremost guarantee a clean, safe, fun and beautiful environment for citizens to play. We’re relying on public input to guide the process as we work to create a regional attraction that fits into the Roanoke Valley’s outdoor tourism brand, creates a positive economic impact and improves the overall quality of life for our area.”

Explore Park is a 1,100 acre facility located on the Blue Ridge Parkway and operated by Roanoke County under a 99-year lease with the Virginia Recreational Facilities Authority established in 2013. The County has contracted with design firm Wallace Roberts & Todd, engineering firm Balzer & Associates, and ProsConsulting to develop a master plan for the park, which will be presented to the Board of Supervisors in March, 2016.

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