Roanoke Parks and Recreation

The City of Roanoke’s Department of Parks and Recreation (PLAY Roanoke) is a full-service, nationally accredited municipal agency that maintains nearly 13,000 acres of public land and provides the Roanoke Valley with thousands of recreational opportunities each year. The Department currently employs 70 full-time employees and approximately 160 part-time and seasonal employees to manage 69 public properties including 51 parks, eight plazas, seven greenways, two outdoor swimming pools, eight recreation centers, and more than 100 miles of paved and natural surface trails. Read More

PLAY Magazine

Spring 2025 Activity Guide

Recent Park Improvements

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Commemorative bench installed at Smith Park along the Roanoke River Greenway

New multi-use path constructed at River's Edge Park North

Over 5,000 lbs of invasive species removed from Murray Run Greenway and Mill Mountain Park

82 trees planted in parks

Recent Blog Posts

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Spring forward with PLAY!
Flower bulbs are peeking through the soil and trees are beginning to bud, which can…
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You’ll 💖LOVE💖 what we’ve got planned this February!
PLAY programs are better when shared! In honor of Valentine’s, we’re highlighting some of our…
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Are you Ready to Get Outside this Winter?
You may already be familiar with the incredible Outdoor Recreation programs we offer during the…
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Check out our Community Recreation Programs this January!
From exciting fitness and wellness classes, to music, dance,  arts, and culture, Community Recreation offers…
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Roanoke to Make a Splash with First In-River Whitewater Park in Virginia
In the heart of the Star City, the Roanoke River is set to become an…
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Enjoy September by discovering your city’s parks, trails, and green spaces.
September is a magical time in Roanoke. As summer’s heat begins to fade, a refreshing…
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Roanoke Parks and Recreation: Exciting Projects Ahead!
We’re thrilled to share some updates about the exciting projects we’re working on to build…
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School’s Back, But the Fun Is Not Over!
Snacks, backpacks, early mornings… the back-to-school season is upon us. But wait! Before you resign…
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