July is National Park and Recreation Month, and in Roanoke, it’s a time to celebrate the places people play, the community members who support them, and the projects shaping the city’s future.

Roanoke Parks and Recreation’s 10-year master plan, adopted in 2019, is beginning to show tangible results as the department marks its halfway point.

The City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation is looking to update its master plan and wants community members to be a part of the conversation.

Roanoke's former Director of Parks and Recreation, will become executive director the Roanoke Star Cycling, which had previously had volunteer leadership.

Construction is underway Monday night on the new Washington Park pool.

Michael Clark, director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Roanoke resigned on Jan. 3.

Roanoke Parks and Recreation leaders have created a way to clear confusion and give updates on your favorite trails.

The park will have whitewater features, scenic overlooks and calm river playing areas.

The park would be in the Roanoke River near Wasena Park

The city along with architects hope to have a final design by March.

Early this year, Roanoke Parks and Recreation received $2.3 million to address a list of projects and improvements in the area’s parks.

Construction is already underway at Raleigh Court Park. It is one of six new playgrounds coming to Roanoke City this summer.

The goal is to reach 100 miles from Jan, 9 through April 19 by running, walking, biking or participating in other exercises.

Grab your movie popcorn and blanket, a tube, yoga mat or a basketball; you’ll need them to celebrate Parks and Recreation Month with the city of Roanoke.

Next month, Roanoke Parks and Recreation will begin revitalizing Washington Park through several projects that have been a decade in the making.

Roanoke City Council will hold a public hearing tonight about banning firearms on city property. Roanoke Parks and Recreation holds a virtual job fair tonight. The City of Lynchburg begins the process of updating its Park and Recreation needs assessment and Comprehensive Park Master Plan today. AdSome Roanoke County students will to the classroom today. Fifth-grade students, who were receiving hybrid instruction, will be in-person four days a week starting today.

ROANOKE, Va. A new project is giving families the option to play outside and stay safe at the same time. Roanoke Parks and Recreation, also known as Play Roanoke, is working to equip all city playgrounds with hand sanitizing stations. Right now, 12 of the city's 35 playgrounds have hand sanitizing stations. While Play Roanoke doesn't have research showing how often children are getting outside, they do know parents certainly are. Adults are flocking to the outdoors in numbers weve never seen before, said Stephanie Long, marketing coordinator for Play Roanoke.

Registration for Roanokes Summer Play Enrichment Program started on Monday. Roanoke Parks and Recreation is hosting the event again, but things will look different because of COVID-19. From spacing to sanitizing, all things safety are being considered. Still keep it a fun event but make it a safe time for everybody," said McKee. The enrichment program runs from July 6 to August 14.

ROANOKE, Va. - A new skate park in Roanoke is one step closer to reality. On Monday afternoon, Roanoke City Council members voted to amend the Roanoke Parks and Recreation master plan. The plan now calls for a new skate park in 5-10 years funded by public and private money. Members of the Roanoke Skate Park Initiative told council members they need help fundraising and getting land for a new park. He estimates a new skate park would cost around $500,000, and as of Monday only about $20,000 had been raised.

"We're just promoting the area and getting people outside, making them realize how easy it is to utilize the river," said Kat Andrew, Roanoke Parks and Recreation Outdoor Recreation coordinator. "I've never been on the Roanoke River," Jay Smith said. She's lived in Roanoke for 14 years and has floated all the other area rivers, but never the Roanoke. More people realizing that the Roanoke River Blueway is a viable outdoor option is good news to people such as Rob Issem, a lover of all things outdoors and an advocate for Roanoke's outdoor opportunities. July's non-profit is Roanoke Parks and Recreation, which provided an extra reason for people to come out and enjoy something new.

Roanoke Parks and Recreation is celebrating Kids to Parks day with an Instagram Scavenger Hunt, complete with prizes! How you and your kids can participate this year! Copyright 2019 by WSLS 10 - All rights reserved.