The City of Roanoke is home to a wide variety of parks, plazas, greenways, athletic facilities, picnic shelters, and recreation centers. These facilities offer a fantastic location for special events such as community festival and concerts, races, weddings, birthday parties, tournaments, family reunions, and so much more. Discover how you can plan your upcoming event in a local park!
Elmwood Park
Home to show stopping concerts, community festivals, and so much more, Elmwood Park is the ultimate outdoor amphitheater in the heart of downtown Roanoke.
Elmwood Park boasts an art walk, decorative fountains, a magnolia tree walkway, and an outdoor amphitheater. Comfortably accommodating 4,000 guests, the Elmwood Park amphitheater features cascading grass seating terraces.
Elmwood Park Reservation Rules
Elmwood Park Rental Pricing
Elmwood Park Maps
Elmwood Park Promoter’s Guide
Learn more about Elmwood Park
Historic Fishburn Mansion
Formerly known as the Mountain View Recreation Center, the Historic Fishburn Mansion is a 42-room Georgian-revival mansion that was built in 1907 by Junius B. Fishburn.
Mr. Fishburn was a prominent publisher, banker and philanthropist in Roanoke for the first half of the 20th century. In 1955, he donated his home to the city, with the stipulation that it would be solely used for public recreation purposes. The rest of Fishburn’s beautiful estate includes a garden, community garden and an old carriage barn that has been converted into a greenhouse.
The Historic Fishburn Mansion is a popular wedding venue, and also hosts many private events such as baby showers, holiday parties, fundraisers, meetings, and more.
To request a reservation of the Historic Fishburn Mansion, please call 540-853-2236 or reach out via our Contact Form.
The Fishburn Mansion is also home to a recording studio, available for rent.
Mill Mountain Park and Discovery Center
The Discovery Center, located atop Mill Mountain, is home to Roanoke Parks and Recreation’s environmental education programs. The Discovery Center interior offers meeting space with comfy couches, tables, and educational exhibits. Outside, you’ll find a small pond, a beautiful wildflower garden, and mountaintop views!
With the ability to be reserved for a wide range of special occasions, including birthday parties, weddings, dinner parties, and community events, the Discovery Center is a popular attraction atop Mill Mountain.
Additional Info: The Roanoke Star and Overlook is NOT available for rental or private use. However, you can reserve the lower, Rockledge Overlook near the Discovery Center. For Discovery Center rentals during public open hours (see here), a minimum of 30 days notice is required.
Learn more about the Discovery Center
Learn more about Mill Mountain Park
Downtown Plazas
With multiple plazas in Downtown Roanoke, you’re sure to find the right fit for your event!
To request a plaza reservation, please call 540-853-2236 or reach out via our Contact Form.
City of Roanoke Plazas:
Learn more about Century Plaza
Learn more about Freedom Plaza
Learn more about Henrietta Lacks Plaza
Learn more about Holton Plaza
Learn more about John Nolen Plaza
Learn more about Market Square Plaza
Learn more about Pearl Fu Plaza
Recreation Centers
With multiple unique recreation centers in the City of Roanoke, you’re sure to find a fit for any event!
To request a recreation center reservation, please call 540-853-2236 or reach out via our Contact Form.
Recreation Center Reservation Guidelines
Recreation Center Lease Agreement
Learn More about Preston Park Recreation Center
Learn More about Thrasher Recreation Center
Learn More about Grandin Court Recreation Center
Other Recreation Centers:
For details on renting the Historic Fishburn Mansion (formerly Mountain View Recreation Center) or Mill Mountain Discovery Center, please see detailed rental information above. Note: Garden City Recreation Center, Norwich Park Recreation Center, and Eureka Recreation Center are currently unavailable for rental.
Greenways, Trails, and Open Park Space
From the America’s Toughest Road Marathon and 5K fundraisers to cyclocross and mountain bike races, Roanoke’s trails and greenways host events of all sizes.
The most commonly used spaces include the Roanoke River Greenway, Tinker Creek Greenway, and Mill Mountain Trails.
Greenways/Open Space/Equipment Rental Pricing
Learn more about the Roanoke River Greenway
Learn more about the Garden City Greenway
Learn more about the Lick Run Greenway
Learn more about the Tinker Creek Greenway
Learn more about the Mill Mountain Greenway
Learn more about Mill Mountain Park Trails
Learn more about Carvins Cove Trails
Athletic Fields and Facilities
Roanoke Parks and Recreation offers numerous athletic facilities for rental, including the award-winning fields at River’s Edge Park!
To request an athletic facility, please call 540-853-2236 or reach out via our Contact Form.
Park Shelters and Other Rentals
For small events and get-togethers, our park shelters are often the perfect place to gather!
Other facility rentals include dog parks, aquatic facilities, outdoor classroom, and the amphitheater at Highland Park.
To request a reservation, please call 540-853-2236 or reach out via our Contact Form.
Additional Info
Assembly Permits:
Assembly permits are required for public assembly events, such as parades, festivals, block parties, races or walks, or other group assembly taking place on City of Roanoke streets, parks, alleys, sidewalks or other public properties. Events over 100 people require an assembly permit, and permits may also be required for smaller events if they intend to serve alcohol, have bounce houses, and/or have amplified music. Please review the information below with regard to permits and special event requirements in the City of Roanoke.
If you anticipate that more than 1,000 people will attend your event, you will need to fill out an Emergency Action Plan Form and submit it to the City’s Emergency Management Department.
Alcohol Permits:
A City of Roanoke Alcohol Permit and Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control permits and licenses are required for alcohol to be allowed in designated parks, plazas, and recreation centers. Additionally, alcohol permits will only be considered for the following locations: Century Plaza, Elmwood Park, Fallon Park (not including pool or Fallon Park Elementary School), Highland Park (not including dog park), John Nolen Plaza, Market Square Plaza, Mill Mountain Park and Discovery Center, Mountain View Park and Historic Fishburn Mansion, Preston Park and Preston Recreation Center, River’s Edge Park, Smith Park, Vic Thomas Park, Wasena Park.
Equipment Rental:
Did you know that you can reserve equipment, such as a mobile stage, picnic tables, and chairs through Roanoke Parks and Recreation? Our park management crews help set up hundreds of local events and festivals annually. Our Recreation staff are also able to offer mobile climbing tower programs, pending availability.
Questions?
Please reach out via our Contact Us form or by calling our office at 540-853-2236 for assistance!
