Park spaces are a crucial part of the social infrastructure of a community, providing environmental, aesthetic, and recreational value. Neighborhood parks are especially noteworthy for the benefits they bring to their immediate area. Typically on the smaller side, neighborhood parks are generally under 10 acres and designed to serve residents within a short distance (typically a 1/2 mile or less). These parks often have some open fields and trees, and may include amenities such as athletic facilities, playgrounds, walking paths, or shelters.
One of the most important features of neighborhood parks is their walkability and proximity to residents. According to ParkServe data, 64% of Roanoke residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. Let’s take a closer look at some of the neighborhood parks serving our community.
Perry Park
Located in Southwest Roanoke’s Hurt Park neighborhood, Perry Park is just shy of 3 acres, offering a basketball court, playground, and picnic shelter with a grill and picnic tables. The open space features gentle hillside, large shade trees, and beautiful mountain views. Perry Park is also the site of Henrietta Lacks’ birthplace and an historical marker was recently added to the park.
According to ParkServe data, approximately 1,119 residents live within a 10-minute walk of Perry Park.
Garden City Park
Located in Southeast Roanoke’s Garden City neighborhood, this park is nearly 5 acres. The spacious open fields are surrounded by the blue ridge mountains, homes, and Garden City Elementary School. Park amenities include a baseball diamond with bleachers, picnic shelter & tables, restrooms, and an impressive playground!
According to ParkServe data, approximately 544 residents live within a 10-minute walk of Garden City Park.
Horton Park
Located in Northwest Roanoke’s Melrose-Rugby neighborhood, Horton Park is 7.5 acres large, stretching from Melrose Avenue to Salem Turnpike, and situated beside the Melrose Branch Library. The park boasts a picnic shelter, tables, and grill as well as two basketball courts and a baseball diamond. Horton Park is also home to the Kiwanis Centennial Playground, built in 2019 to be an all-inclusive play space for children and their families. The playground is 10,000 square feet, and includes adaptive equipment, ADA compliant ramps, and wheelchair accessible features. There are also fitness stations in the space, as well as benches and shade spaces. A paved path lined with trees winds through Horton Park, and there are plentiful open fields.
According to ParkServe data, approximately 1,581 residents live within a 10-minute walk of Horton Park.
Bowman Park
Located off Williamson Road, Bowman Park is a modest 2 acres, offering open fields and numerous large shade trees. Bowman Park is tucked away in the neighborhood, making it extremely walkable – one of the best things about neighborhood parks. You’ll also find an ADA accessible playground and shelter at Bowman Park, making it a great place for a family picnic!
According to ParkServe data, approximately 2,568 residents live within a 10-minute walk of Bowman Park.
Other neighborhood parks in the City of Roanoke include Brown-Robertson Park, Fern Park, Garden City Recreation Center and Park, Golden Park, Grandin Court Park and Recreation Center, Loudon Park, Mason Mill Park, Melrose Park, Mountain View Park, Piedmont Park, Preston Park, Raleigh Court Park, Ridgewood Park, Staunton Park, Triangle Park, Valley Avenue Park, Villa Heights Park, and West End Park.
