ROANOKE RIVER GREENWAY

The project is the missing link connecting the City of Salem to Roanoke County

A study is taking place to consider a new multi-use path that would connect the Roanoke Valley to the New River Valley.

It’s hard to imagine the Roanoke Valley without its robust greenway and trail network.

The City of Roanoke and the City of Salem are bridging the gap on the Roanoke River Greenway.

The inaugural IRONMAN in Virginia’s Blue Ridge is now behind us and the positive feedback from racers, visitors and community members alike is pouring in.

There’s now another new section of the Roanoke River Greenway for you to enjoy.

Authorities are warning the public about the discovery of rabid raccoons near the Roanoke River Greenway in Southeast Roanoke.

Health officials are warning people about a rabid raccoon found earlier this month near the Roanoke River Greenway in Southeast Roanoke.

ROANOKE, Va. – 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 Roanoke’s Piedmont Park along the Roanoke River Greenway.

Leaders 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, Va. – If you’re 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 that’s been brewing for years to a head. In an effort to help cyclists, runners, and everyone in between stay safe, they’re painting a four inch wide center line encouraging people to stay on their side of the path. Long said it’s 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.

During Monday night’s 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.

ROANOKE, Va. – 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. Don’t put yourself at risk," said Roanoke Fire-EMS Captain Jeff Peay.

ROANOKE, Va. – The area under one of Roanoke’s Memorial Bridge is now a space for children to use their imagination. Artists from Patrick Henry High School spent the summer painting the bridge’s 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, they’re very happy to see it.”The Memorial Bridge artwork, officially entitled the Arches project, was sponsored by the Roanoke Arts Commission.

ROANOKE, Va. – Crews are working to repair flood damage to some of Roanoke’s greenways. Crews are replacing the greenway with concrete, rather than asphalt because it’s a little tougher and more flood-resistant. “The greenways are generally in the floodplain and that’s why we got the land because people can’t build there and that’s what makes it good for a Greenway. It helps in terms of a lot of environmental things,” said Roanoke Valley Greenways Coordinator Liz Belcher. Other sections in Roanoke will be repaired this week and next.

“We came the other day and it was packed and that was early morning,” said Terry Flanary, who walks weekly on the Roanoke River Greenway. “We try and go on the weekdays because the weekends are rough,” said David Nova, who bikes on the greenway each week. Roanoke Valley Greenways Coordinator Liz Belcher said usage is up more than 200%. They’re going fast but they’re respectful but they’re still going fast and if you don’t go to the left, then you go to the right, you may have some problems,” Flanary said. Roanoke has put new signs along the Roanoke River Greenway to encourage better behavior by those who use it.

ROANOKE, Va – 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. “It comes up pretty quickly every time it rains pretty heavily, we’ve 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,” 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, Va. – 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. It’s a very popular area of the greenway,” said Renee Powers, the trails and greenways coordinator for Roanoke Parks and Recreation.

ROANOKE, 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.

ROANOKE, 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.

ROANOKE, Va. – 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 don’t look like they’ll be improving over the next few days, so it’s not clear when this section of the greenway will reopen. Crews won’t 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.

ROANOKE, Va. – Saturday night’s 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 night’s 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. It’s a lot like Colorado," said Kevin and Jeannie Edwards, who experienced the greenway for the first time on Sunday.

ROANOKE, Va. – 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.