INSIDER
Red-tailed hawk to be released at Smith Park on the Roanoke River Greenway on Friday
Read full article: Red-tailed hawk to be released at Smith Park on the Roanoke River Greenway on FridayThe Southwest Virginia Wildlife Center has just announced it will be releasing a red-tailed hawk into the wild at the Roanoke River Greenway.
Roanoke residents share safety concerns over Wasena Bridge detour: โItโs confusing to everybodyโ
Read full article: Roanoke residents share safety concerns over Wasena Bridge detour: โItโs confusing to everybodyโTwo weeks into the Wasena Bridge closure, Roanoke residents are raising safety concerns sparked by the new traffic and Greenway detour.
Part of Roanoke River Greenway closed due to Mondayโs heavy rain
Read full article: Part of Roanoke River Greenway closed due to Mondayโs heavy rainSoaking rain swept through much of our region on Memorial Day, leaving a large portion of our area drenched, including parts of the Roanoke River Greenway.
Greenway murals coming to Southeast Roanoke
Read full article: Greenway murals coming to Southeast RoanokeWith support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of Roanoke, the Roanoke Arts Commission is partnering with the Southeast Neighborhood, the two murals will be beneath the 9th Street bridge and the 13th Street Bridge.
VDOT wants your opinion about a new trail that would connect the Roanoke Valley and the New River Valley
Read full article: VDOT wants your opinion about a new trail that would connect the Roanoke Valley and the New River ValleyA study is taking place to consider a new multi-use path that would connect the Roanoke Valley to the New River Valley.
Greenways champion Liz Belcher retires after 25 years of building trails, paths in Roanoke Valley
Read full article: Greenways champion Liz Belcher retires after 25 years of building trails, paths in Roanoke ValleyItโs hard to imagine the Roanoke Valley without its robust greenway and trail network.
โIt was just executed so wellโ: IRONMAN officials praise local emergency response agencies for successful event
Read full article: โIt was just executed so wellโ: IRONMAN officials praise local emergency response agencies for successful eventThe inaugural IRONMAN in Virginiaโs Blue Ridge is now behind us and the positive feedback from racers, visitors and community members alike is pouring in.
Body recovered from Roanoke River identified as 40-year-old Roanoke man
Read full article: Body recovered from Roanoke River identified as 40-year-old Roanoke manROANOKE, Va. โ UPDATE: March 25, 2021Authorities have released the cause of death for the man recovered from the Roanoke River last week. UPDATE: March 24, 2021Police have identified a body recovered last week from the Roanoke River. On Wednesday, Roanoke Police have identified the body as 40-year-old Travis Lee Hill, of Roanoke. ORIGINAL STORYRoanoke police are investigating after first responders removed a body from the Roanoke River on Wednesday afternoon. At 1:09 p.m., fire and rescue workers were called to help police retrieve the body near Roanokeโs Piedmont Park along the Roanoke River Greenway.
New River Valley leaders plan for a future of pedestrian and bike-friendly options
Read full article: New River Valley leaders plan for a future of pedestrian and bike-friendly optionsLeaders in the New River Valley are working to make the area more walkable and bike-friendly. On Thursday night, the New River Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization hosted a virtual public comment session. They took feedback on places and points in the community where bikers, walkers and others feel there could be improvements. That feedback will be used to help shape the overall regional plan. They also discussed a possible connection in the future between the New River Valley trail network and the Roanoke River Greenway that currently terminates in Western Roanoke County.
Roanoke River Greenway adds center line to keep people on their side of the path
Read full article: Roanoke River Greenway adds center line to keep people on their side of the pathROANOKE, Va. โ If youโre on the Roanoke River Greenway, you soon may notice something new. Usage on the Roanoke River Greenway spiked 200% during the pandemic and it brought an issue thatโs been brewing for years to a head. In an effort to help cyclists, runners, and everyone in between stay safe, theyโre painting a four inch wide center line encouraging people to stay on their side of the path. Long said itโs by and far the most popular stretch of not only the Roanoke River Greenway, but all the greenways in the valley. Sarah Karpnaty was on a bike ride Friday night and took notice of the center line striping.
Roanoke River Greenway will finally connect Roanoke and Salem
Read full article: Roanoke River Greenway will finally connect Roanoke and SalemDuring Monday nightโs Roanoke City Council meeting, the council unanimously approved the land swap that allows the city to complete the Roanoke River Greenway within city limits. It seems that the ability to stay on the Roanoke River Greenway from Salem all the way to Southeast Roanoke is coming. The red-and-black dashed line shows the portion of the Roanoke River Greenway that's planned for the Walker Foundry property. In August 2017, Roanoke City Council authorized the use of eminent domain to claim the land; however, in April 2019, city council voted to stop pursuing eminent domain. The property listing includes this site plan, which includes an extended Roanoke River Greenway, canoe landing, as well as a restaurant.
Driver rescued from floodwaters in Roanoke as severe, widespread flooding was reported
Read full article: Driver rescued from floodwaters in Roanoke as severe, widespread flooding was reportedROANOKE, Va. โ One driver had to be rescued from floodwaters in Roanoke on Thursday after heavy rain led to severe flooding in the region. The Roanoke River completely flooded, submerging parts of the Roanoke River Greenway and several roads, including Bennington St. Roanoke Fire-EMS officials said that they put signs to block off the street. The driver had to call 911 and Roanoke Fire-EMS crews had to rescue them. Donโt put yourself at risk," said Roanoke Fire-EMS Captain Jeff Peay.
Roanoke River Greenway under Memorial Bridge revitalized with artwork
Read full article: Roanoke River Greenway under Memorial Bridge revitalized with artworkROANOKE, Va. โ The area under one of Roanokeโs Memorial Bridge is now a space for children to use their imagination. Artists from Patrick Henry High School spent the summer painting the bridgeโs columns along the Roanoke River Greenway. The formerly bare concrete now features pastel-colored murals of Roanoke architecture. Additionally, volunteers unearthed and restored a stone-walled sandbox that had been derelict for decades. "There was a playground and a baseball field over there...just to hear the history, theyโre very happy to see it.โThe Memorial Bridge artwork, officially entitled the Arches project, was sponsored by the Roanoke Arts Commission.
Work underway to repair flood damage to Roanokeโs greenways
Read full article: Work underway to repair flood damage to Roanokeโs greenwaysROANOKE, Va. โ Crews are working to repair flood damage to some of Roanokeโs greenways. Crews are replacing the greenway with concrete, rather than asphalt because itโs a little tougher and more flood-resistant. โThe greenways are generally in the floodplain and thatโs why we got the land because people canโt build there and thatโs what makes it good for a Greenway. It helps in terms of a lot of environmental things,โ said Roanoke Valley Greenways Coordinator Liz Belcher. Other sections in Roanoke will be repaired this week and next.
โOn hey there Lanceโ: Roanoke puts up new signs encouraging better greenway behavior
Read full article: โOn hey there Lanceโ: Roanoke puts up new signs encouraging better greenway behaviorโWe came the other day and it was packed and that was early morning,โ said Terry Flanary, who walks weekly on the Roanoke River Greenway. โWe try and go on the weekdays because the weekends are rough,โ said David Nova, who bikes on the greenway each week. Roanoke Valley Greenways Coordinator Liz Belcher said usage is up more than 200%. Theyโre going fast but theyโre respectful but theyโre still going fast and if you donโt go to the left, then you go to the right, you may have some problems,โ Flanary said. Roanoke has put new signs along the Roanoke River Greenway to encourage better behavior by those who use it.
โIt is not time to get out on the riverโ: Carilion Clinic warns of risk for flash flooding near Roanoke River
Read full article: โIt is not time to get out on the riverโ: Carilion Clinic warns of risk for flash flooding near Roanoke RiverROANOKE, Va โ Carilion Clinic is warning anyone who plans on being near the Roanoke River to be vigilant over the next several days as heavy rain may cause potential flash flooding. Areas near the Roanoke River Greenway have dealt with flooding in recent months, potentially making it unsafe for kayakers or floaters. Staff at Carilion are asking the community to keep an eye on the water levels to help keep everyone safe. โIt comes up pretty quickly every time it rains pretty heavily, weโve seen a lot of people out kayaking on it and enjoying the river but as flash floods are coming in and a hurricane coming in, it is not time to get out on the river,โ Sarah Beth Dinwiddie Trauma Nurse Specialist with Carilion Clinic said. Carilion also advises drivers who may be near the river to avoid driving through flooded waters.
Roanoke Greenway repairs expected to take months
Read full article: Roanoke Greenway repairs expected to take monthsROANOKE, Va. โ Damage to the Roanoke River Greenway could take months to repair. The damage near Wasena Park and at 9th Street happened after severe flooding in May and June, which washed out sections of the greenway. A section of the Roanoke River Greenway near Wasena Park is severely damaged after two major flooding events hit the area in May and June. The Roanoke Parks and Recreation Department said the repairs could take a few more months because of delays due to weather and COVID-19. Itโs a very popular area of the greenway,โ said Renee Powers, the trails and greenways coordinator for Roanoke Parks and Recreation.
Whats News Today: COVID testing, greenway opens
Read full article: Whats News Today: COVID testing, greenway opensROANOKE, Va. There's a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in the New River Valley today. The American Heart Association holds a webinar, looking at the impact of COVID-19 on Appalachian and rural communities. The association says people who live in these regions tend to be older and more likely to experience health issues. The Roanoke River Greenway and Mill Mountain Access Road will reopen today. The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke holds a groundbreaking today for a new playground.
Some local greenways may be open but people arent swarming them yet
Read full article: Some local greenways may be open but people arent swarming them yetROANOKE, Va. On Friday, some of the local greenways got the green light for those eager to return to their scenic routes. With the exception of the Roanoke River Greenway in Roanoke City, which is scheduled to reopen on May 19, all greenways in Roanoke City, Salem, Roanoke County and Vinton are now open. There wasnt much activity along the Lick Run portion on Friday afternoon. 10 News caught up with the Bamforth family who were out doing some weightlifting and making use of the trails exercise equipment. All they doing is eating so theyre not really burning too much fat, just gaining, so figured its time to go on and get em outside.
Section of Roanoke River Greenway closed due to rain damage
Read full article: Section of Roanoke River Greenway closed due to rain damageROANOKE, Va. โ Due to heavy, soaking rain that led to flooding last week and this weekend, a major portion of the Roanoke River Greenway stretching from Wasena Park to Bennington Park is closed. More rain is on the way and conditions donโt look like theyโll be improving over the next few days, so itโs not clear when this section of the greenway will reopen. Crews wonโt be able to clear the mud and debris until the rain lets up and water levels go back down. So where can you go in the meantime? PLAY Roanoke suggests checking out the Mill Mountain Greenway, Lick Run Greenway, the open sections of Roanoke River Greenway (Bridge Street to Wasena or Aerial Way/Blue Ridge Drive), or the trails at Countryside Park.
People enjoy Roanoke River Greenway during unusually warm January day
Read full article: People enjoy Roanoke River Greenway during unusually warm January dayROANOKE, Va. โ Saturday nightโs storms gave way to a clear and sunny Sunday, and people took to the Roanoke River Greenway to take advantage of it. Temperatures reached the 60s in Roanoke Sunday afternoon, which is unseasonably warm for the region at this time of the year. The runoff from Saturday nightโs storms made the water under the bridge connecting Wasena and Smith parks too dangerous for cars. However, pedestrians and bikers were still able to enjoy the greenway and the weather. Itโs a lot like Colorado," said Kevin and Jeannie Edwards, who experienced the greenway for the first time on Sunday.
Walker Foundry selling land amid lawsuit against Roanoke regarding Greenway expansion
Read full article: Walker Foundry selling land amid lawsuit against Roanoke regarding Greenway expansionROANOKE, Va. โ Less than five months after filing a lawsuit against the city of Roanoke, Walker Machine & Foundry is selling its land. For years, Walker and Roanoke have clashed over land Walker owns that would help finish connecting the Roanoke River Greenway. Walker filed its lawsuit on June 18 as the company claimed it was losing business and its property value had decreased. The property includes 25 separate parcels, including the contentious stretch that would potentially allow for the expansion of the Roanoke River Greenway. The property listing includes this site plan, which includes an extended Roanoke River Greenway, canoe landing, as well as a restaurant.