The city’s greenways are protected open space managed for conservation and recreation purposes.			
					
Greenways add to fabric of city
By Donnie Underwood
Imagine living in a place where you can walk, bike or skate to work, school, shop, or to visit friends and family using a seamless network of linear parks that are a natural part of the local transportation system. Roanoke has learned that the many benefits of individual trails, greenways, parks, transportation, health, conservation, and community revitalization are multiplied when these venues are connected to regional systems of trails and greenways. Linking the places where we live, work, learn and play with greenways is a crucial element of the city’s effort to build a safer, healthier and more livable community.
In 1995, officials from the Roanoke Valley’s four local governments started the process for building greenways by appointing representatives to serve on the Roanoke Valley Greenways/Open Space Steering Committee. Public workshops were held — ideas discussed, concepts considered — and ultimately, the Roanoke Valley Conceptual Greenway Plan was established.
Today, a permanent body known as the Roanoke Valley Greenway Commission works with a volunteer group called Pathfinders for Greenways to turn the greenway plan into reality.
“The benefits of greenways are many,” said Roanoke Valley Greenway Coordinator Liz Belcher. “Besides the preservation of our region’s natural beauty, greenways provide alternative transportation routes between places like schools, parks and libraries. These routes could reduce parking needs and vehicle emissions.”
Greenways are protected open space managed for conservation and recreation purposes. They often follow natural land or water features, and link natural areas, parks, cultural features and historic sites with each other and with populated areas such as schools, libraries and entertainment venues. Opportunities to reconnect people don’t simply stop once a greenway is built. Greenways reconnect Roanoke’s neighborhoods by creating common ground for social interaction. They reconnect residents to their families by providing safe and healthy recreation areas for children, parents and grandparents. Trails reconnect residents to nature by providing us access to green space for recreation and relaxation.
When completed, the Mill Mountain Greenway will provide a connection between downtown Roanoke through Mill Mountain Park and thereafter into the National Parks Service (NPS) Blue Ridge Parkway. As part of the Western Virginia Birding Trail, once completed, this 11-mile loop will be one of a few continuous greenway systems in the country that connects local facilities to a national park. The initial front-end phase of construction is underway, connecting Roanoke’s downtown urban hub to Piedmont Park along the Roanoke River. Simultaneously, the RVGC and the NPS are preparing the Chestnut Ridge Trail within the Blue Ridge Parkway. 
As a leader in greenway development within the Roanoke Valley, the city of Roanoke, in partnership with the Roanoke Valley Greenways Commission (RVGC), has embarked upon a series of green-infrastructure projects that include the Roanoke River, Lick Run, Mill Mountain, Murray Run, and the Tinker Creek Greenways. When intertwined into daily life, these linear parks connect and provide a safe avenue for regular exercise and alternate transportation opportunities for all citizens.
As city officials consider the city’s future, they appreciate the effect a fully developed linear parks system can have. Establishing a greenway plan — and working together to make it a reality — has enabled Roanoke to balance its economic progress with the beauty of its natural resources.

Donnie Underwood is a parks and recreation parks planner for the city of Roanoke.