Roanoke Valley Greenway Development Priorities
The 1995 Greenway Plan recommended 51 greenway routes with each route labeled as either on-road or off-road. In addition, it described six other routes. The 2007 Update focuses on the off-road routes and endorses the 2005 Bikeway Plan for on-road routes. The 2007 Update includes 35 routes.

In response to public input, the Greenway Plan Steering Committee and each locality prioritized the off-road greenways and trails to provide more focus to implementation efforts.

Priority #1 Routes: The Roanoke River Greenway was identified as the most important greenway in the regional network. It will be the only #1 priority, in order to focus efforts on finishing it within five years. This greenway offers the longest route when finished, the most opportunity for economic development on adjacent lands, the greatest attraction for tourists, the most recreation and health benefit for residents, the most opportunity for special events such as marathons, the most opportunity for water based recreation such as canoeing and fishing, the most opportunity to enhance appreciation of environmental resources, and the most opportunity to be a regional asset. Roanoke River Greenway is the “backbone” of the greenway network.

Priority #2 Routes: These are important regional projects, already underway, which could be finished in 5-10 years. They include five north-south routes connecting to Roanoke River Greenway and three destination sites with clusters of trails. These routes provide the major side corridors of the greenway network.

Priority #3 Routes: These greenways are priorities within specific localities. These are important at the local level for enhancement of neighborhood values, economic development and public health. The goal is to finish these in 5-10 years. Most have already had some work done, such as planning or acquiring right-of-way. Some are neighborhood priorities.

Priority #4 Routes: These are other greenway projects to be addressed as opportunity and resources arise. Included in this group are several routes which have strong citizen support but no resources in terms of land or funding. Also included are clusters of trails on other public lands which help provide connectivity for the greenway network.