The Roanoker - February 2014 - 81

How to consider the Roanoke area recreation scene? How about by way
of your particular passion, as the valley is full of venues no matter your
favorite way to sweat and play.
RUNNER, RUNNER
A look at where to run in Roanoke has to start with
the Roanoke River Greenway and other urban trails
that have sprung up over the past 10 years or so. The
Roanoke River Greenway, the spine of the still-growing
greenway system, is not that far away in time from a
golden spike moment, when the path leading west from
Roanoke City will join up with one coming east from
the City of Salem.
When that happens - within the next several years -
and when the Roanoke River Greenway on the eastern
side of the valley ends up at Explore Park, a continuous
20 mile-plus stretch will be in place.
Until then runners, and bicyclists or walkers for that
matter, can maximize their mileage by parking at Fallon
Park in Southeast Roanoke City, following the Tinker
Creek Greenway from there to its intersection with the
Roanoke River Greenway and its tough climbs over the
z-shaped bridge past the back end of the wastewater
treatment plant.
From there, you're off toward Wasena Park, Memorial Avenue and the Norwich section of Roanoke City,
where the greenway now ends. A round trip jog at a
moderate pace will take you two hours or more, maybe
an hour by bike - unless you're Lance Armstrong. (The
Tinker Creek Greenway is 1.25 miles one way; and that
section of the river greenway is just under 6 miles.)
Here's a hint for those that want to avoid crowds: At
least for the time being the section of Roanoke River
Greenway now in Salem sees less bike and foot traffic.
Access it at Rotary Park in Salem (Rt. 419 and Apperson Road) for a 7-mile round trip experience. There
are more trails and another section of the greenway
system at Green Hill Park in western Roanoke County;
eventually that will join up to the Salem section on
the way to Explore Park. (see greenways.org for more
information).
Speaking of Explore Park, the former living history
attraction is being repurposed by Roanoke County as
an outdoor recreation center. There are already miles of
trails for biking, hiking and running. Mountain Junkies
runs several foot races there every year. Look for zip
lines, more boat access to the Roanoke River and other
outdoor amenities with the county assuming control of
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the 1,100-acre park via a 99-year lease. "The list is endless for what we can do at this park," Parks, Recreation
and Tourism Director Doug Blount told attendees at a
public information session last summer.

WALKING MORE YOUR SPEED?
You can trek on the greenways or any of the local trails
of course. Roanokers also have access to one of the
most walked-on trails ever. That would be the Appalachian Trail (AT), accessible from the Catawba Valley
on Va 311 (as well as just off U.S. 220 in Daleville and
many other nearby roadways). The 7.4-mile round trip
hike to McAfee Knob, one of the most photographed
spots on the AT, is a slow steady climb on the way up.
The spiny rock ridge known as Dragon's Tooth is
also in the same vicinity. Or head up the Andy Layne
Trail to Tinker Cliffs rock outcropping, accessed from
Va. 779. Walk or run on the Chestnut Ridge Trail, a
5.4-mile round trip accessed from the Mill Mountain
spur road off the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Many other trails that intersect the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some cater to horseback riders but are open to
anyone. (Watch what you step in). It's also not unusual
to see bicyclists or runners on the parkway, especially
during quieter times when the vehicle traffic is down.
The Mill Mountain Star Trail can be accessed from
a parking lot on Riverland Road, if you want to head
up hill, or from the Star parking lot if you prefer to go
downhill first. There are miles of other Mill Mountain
trails that can be hiked or run on. Create your own
round trip loop trail to work up a good sweat.
The Fleet Feet store in Roanoke on U.S. 220 offers
its popular pub run every Tuesday night throughout
the year, 3 and 5 mile runs that end back at local bistros offering special deals for runners. The Regional
Partnership's RoanokeOutdoor.com website is a great
clearinghouse with links to recreation websites and
a calendar of events, as is PlayRoanoke.com, which
debuted last year and is managed by Roanoke City
Parks and Recreation.
"Its basically a one-stop shop for everything active
in Roanoke," says Marketing Coordinator Joe Hanning,
who urged the city to create a recreation website separate from Roanoke's government page.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014

http://www.greenways.org http://www.RoanokeOutdoor.com http://www.PlayRoanoke.com http://www.THEROANOKER.COM

The Roanoker - February 2014

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