Published in: City of Roanoke Summer 2017 Parks and Recreation Activity Guide
Parks and Recreation plays a significant role in not only protecting the environment but also building community. We sat down with Mayor Sherman Lea to discuss what parks and recreation mean to him.
Q: What is your favorite park in the City of Roanoke and why?
A: Countryside Park is my favorite park. I enjoy the attitude of the people who visit the park. They are all friendly and encouraging. There is access to a greenway and various exercise equipment on the trail.
Q: Which parks, greenways or trails do you like to visit most often?
A: Another park I enjoy visiting is Wasena Park. I enjoy the access to a greenway. There is exercise equipment, fishing, playground, a picnic area, access to another park, dog water fountains, baseball fields, tennis courts, basketball courts, a number of benches to sit and meditate, also there are open fields to play or relax under the trees.
Q: What is your favorite recreation program or event that Parks and Recreation organizes?
A: Summer concerts in the park that is presented in conjunction with the arts commission. They travel to a number of neighborhoods each weekend to entertain our citizens. I have heard many positive comments about these programs.
Q: How do you feel Parks and Recreation have impacted Roanoke?
A: By providing a safe place to play and relax, it has increased community pride, builds family unity, increased tourism, reduces stress and enables citizens to lose weight and live longer.
Q: Anything else that you’d like to add about Parks and Recreation?
A: I look forward to working with our new director of Parks and Recreation, Michael Clark. From all indications under his leadership, we will continue to have diversified recreational programs in our City. We have a great future ahead of us in Roanoke and I am proud and honored to serve as Mayor.
