1. 2018 Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan
Planning Trail Connections and Alternate Transportation in the Roanoke Valley

2. Regional Commission as Incubator
Historically housed Greenway Commission
Continues to support economic development and outdoor recreation initiatives
WRIFA
Workforce
RideSolutions
Roanoke River Blueway
How do we envision our role? As a facilitator and incubator. We make connections.
Historical
Broadband
Clean Valley Council

3. Regional Transportation and Connections
RVTPO and Regional Commission Plans
Bikeway Plan (2012)
Rural Bikeway Plan (Update in Progress)
Pedestrian Vision Plan (2015)
Transit Vision Plan (2016)
Existing Connections
SmartWay (Transit)
USBR 76 (Bikeway)
Appalachian Trail
Point out that we have a TPO and explain how that changes our planning/activities.

4. Greenway Support Member of Greenway Commission
Support in drafting 2018 Greenway Plan
Trail Counter Maintenance and Analysis
This slide is how RVARC supports the GC. Staff – Nonvoting member. Voting member is Lee Osborne (from Board/TPO)

5. Trail Usage Site ADT (2017) ADTx365 (approx.)
Roanoke River - Green Hill Park 35
12,700
Roanoke River - Moyers Sports Complex 83
30,100
Roanoke River - 17th St
124
45,400
Roanoke River - Rivers Edge
394
143,900
Roanoke River - Underhill Ave 49
18,000
Virginia Tourism Corporation 2014 Virginia Mountain Region Travel Profile for Roanoke shows a strong interest in nature-based tourism and recreational tourism offerings.
We see that in the trail count numbers. (Average Daily Traffic, multiplied by 365, at 5 locations along Roanoke River Greenway).
Not all of these segments are connected so these are most likely distinct users – we expect numbers to go up in outlying sections when connections are made.
Site traffic varies year-to-year. In 2018, we are on track to beat these numbers.
Counters purchased in partnership with Pathfinders for Greenways and the Greenway Commission

6. Trail Usage Context for Rivers Edge numbers
Keep in mind when considering averages that peak days are weekends – for roughly the same period we see traffic on Sundays averaging at 552 persons a day.

7. History of the Greenway Commission
Flood of 1985
First Greenway Plan completed in 1995
Intergovernmental agreement signed in 1997; included Roanoke County, Vinton, Cities of Roanoke and Salem
RVARC housed the Greenway Commission for first two years; Roanoke County now serves as fiscal agent
Recent addition of Botetourt County in 2016
Transition from Wayne to Liz
Wayne – But how did this come about?
Flood of 1985 – flooded multiple properties along the Roanoke River, FEMA buyouts, Army Corps of Engineers dredging project – New corridor for Roanoke River Greenway
First Greenway Plan completed in 1995 – Regional Commission contracted Greenways, Inc, to complete the plan
Liz – Then the Greenway Commission was formed in 1997, etc.
History of the Greenway Commission

8. Growth in Greenway Network
Miles
1995
2007
2018
Paved, cinder
1.9
25.1
53.3
Trails
60.5
138.8
361.6
Bike Routes
9.6
24.7
135.3
Total
72.0
188.6
550.2

9. Why Build Greenways?

10. Why Build Greenways? Economic development Scenic beauty
Environmental education
Green infrastructure
Non-motorized transportation
Park linkages
Biological diversity
Recreation
Water quality protection
Improvement in health
Quality of life
Air quality protection
Bicycle/pedestrian access
Wildlife habitat
Some of the benefits of Greenways are:
Protection of natural resources and environmental education
Cultural & historical preservation
Improved quality of life and family togetherness
Health promotion and recreation emphasizing exercise and social networks
Transportation
Facilities for the mobility impaired to enjoy the community
Opportunities for community involvement
Safe place for children to play 10

11. Partners: Pathfinders for Greenways
Non-profit group of volunteers
5000+ hours per year
Functions of Pathfinders
Construction of natural surface trails
Marketing: web, brochures, publicity
Help with fundraising and special events
Help with maintenance
Education
Coordination of volunteers
Help with amenities
Broad Coalition of partners needed to make greenways happen
Pathfinders for Greenways is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers.
The Pathfinders are involved in:
Trail construction
Marketing
Fundraising and special events
Trail maintenance
Educating the public and other users
Volunteer coordination 11

12. Other Partners RVARC - Regional Commission
Local organizations with similar interests
Blue Ridge Land Conservancy
Civic leagues, groups, scouts, and schools
Western Va. Water Auth.
Businesses
Citizen volunteers
State, federal agencies
Grant agencies and organizations
User groups
Numerous other partners are involved in developing and building the Roanoke Valley Greenways, including:
Land Trust
Water Authority
State and federal agencies
User groups
Local organizations
Granting agencies and organizations
Media
Civic leagues
Scouts
Schools
Local corporations
Local citizen volunteers 12

13. Stages of Greenway Development
Feasibility Analysis and Master Plan: Conceptual
Resource Inventory
Landownership Patterns
Environmental Concerns
Cost Estimates and Funding
Public Involvement and Consensus Building
Design and Engineering: Reality
Surface, amenities, final location
Engineering and structures
Right-of-way acquisition
Cost
Construction: The Easy Part
Management, Operation and Maintenance
Design approvals (e.g. VDOT)
Permits
Bidding
DBE, Buy America
Inspections
Bills, grant management
Staffing and budget
User conflict avoidance
Amenities, wayfinding
Law enforcement
Maintenance, e.g. mowing 13

14. 2018 Greenway Plan Recommendations

15. 2018 Greenway Plan Recommendations: Roanoke River Greenway
Currently high priority to Green Hill Park
Planned paved trail
Past Green Hill Park – only conceptual
Connects to Montgomery County 15

16. Questions?