When outdoor enthusiasts think “greenway” they usually think of the growing Roanoke River Greenway, often described as the “spine” of the valley’s urban trail system. Yet the Roanoke River Greenway is just one part of a network that ultimately could stretch 50 miles or more. The latest “spoke” trail that may eventually connect to the Roanoke River Greenway held a groundbreaking ceremony earlier this week.
Construction on a 1.2 mile stretch of the Mason’s Creek Greenway – named for the tributary stream that feeds into the nearby Roanoke River – kicked off in East Salem as dirt was turned over by Congressman Bob Goodlatte, who helped secure $250,000 or so in funding for the project. “It also ties people who live out this way in to the Roanoke River Greenway,” said Goodlatte, who has walked every inch of Roanoke’s burgeoning trail system with his wife Maryellen.
Also on hand were Salem City Council members, greenway officials and a representative from the adjacent General Electric manufacturing plant on Roanoke Boulevard, which donated a right-of-way that part of the Mason’s Creek Greenway will be built on this fall.
Plans are now to take the greenway to a trailer park court on Lynchburg Turnpike; it will also sweep by other neighborhoods that could use the trail. Greenway officials said they would eventually like to connect the Mason’s Creek Greenway to the Roanoke River Greenway at Peters Creek Road, perhaps by going through the Salem VA Hospital property if they can acquire a right–of-way. There are also railroad crossings that must be dealt with if they are to connect the two greenways.
Roanoke Valley Greenways coordinator Liz Belcher said that Mason’s Creek could go all the way west and connect with the Hanging Rock Greenway, if it follows the creek and all of the easements through private and commercial properties can be obtained. “They have some more money to keep working on that,” said Belcher, who added that, “it’s challenging in terms of land ownership.”
Groundbreaking for Mason’s Creek was a “momentous occasion,” said Roanoke valley Greenways Commission chairman Mark McClain, who also coined the short stretch a “project of opportunity.” This is the only greenway outside of the Roanoke River Greenway currently under construction.
“That’s our number one priority right now,” noted McClain, the former president of the local Sierra Club chapter. (A two-mile trail from Plantation Road to Carvins Cove is set to open in October. Eventually it will connect to the Tinker Creek Greenway.)
Elsewhere in Salem progress on the Roanoke River Greenway can be seen on a stretch completed within the past year, one that connects a segment that starts at Rotary Park on Electric Road (at Apperson) to the Moyer softball complex. A new segment being worked on now will extend from Moyer towards Roanoke County’s Green Hill Park.
Salem mayor Randy Foley called the Mason’s Creek Greenway, “a project that will beautify the City of Salem and make us healthier.” He thanked Goodlatte, who used to represent Salem in Congress (Morgan Griffith has that honor now) for help in obtaining funds and GE for the right of way donation.
“It’s been a team effort,” said Foley, alluding also to the greenway system in general, “let’s keep it going.”
GE representative Steve Roy said his company was, “very excited to be a part of this. [It’s an opportunity] to give something back to the community.” GE employees will no doubt wind up using the greenway when it is completed later this year.
Goodlatte said he had worked on securing federal money for Mason’s Creek over the past several years and noted that Salem was “working very hard,” to complete its portion of the Roanoke River Greenway.
Salem, Roanoke County and Roanoke City are each working on segments within their jurisdictions; Goodlatte stated again that he was looking forward to that “Golden Spike,” moment when east meets west and the entire Roanoke River Greenway is a continuous 18 mile-plus path through the heart of the valley.
McClain said its “been in the plan for a couple of years,” that the Mason’s Creek path will eventually connect to the Roanoke River Greenway. “It’s not that far from here. We hope someday to see that completed.”