On Thursday, Feb. 28, at 2:30 p.m., Mayor Sherman Lea and City officials will join Roanoke Parks and Recreation to celebrate the official opening of a new section of the Roanoke River Greenway at 3304 Aerial Way Drive.
Completed in just 18 months, this new, half-mile stretch is one more piece toward complete connectivity throughout the Roanoke Valley.
“The Roanoke River Greenway is the backbone of the greenway system in the Valley, and this project brings us closer to the big picture—total connectivity spanning many municipalities,” said Renee Powers, Trails and Greenway Supervisor, Roanoke Parks and Recreation.
This new section begins at Aerial Way Drive, crosses the Roanoke River, and extends to the Norfolk Southern Materials Yard. Because the majority of this particular area is in an easement on Norfolk Southern property, their cooperation was critical in completing this section.
While this section is not currently a high-traffic area, it is an important piece of the overall greenway plan and creates an opportunity for more workplace activity for those employed in the industrial area. With this section finished, only three projects remain to complete the Roanoke River Greenway.
“While it may not look like much, this new section contributes to our mission of making Roanoke a more active community and brings us closer to 27 uninterrupted miles of paved surface trail connecting the City of Roanoke, Salem, Roanoke County, Vinton, and Botetourt County,” Powers added.
For more information, please contact Stephanie Long, Marketing Coordinator, City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation, at [email protected].
