The Power Of Parks and Recreation
This July, Park and Recreation Month highlights “The Power Of” parks and recreation and the people who make it all possible. Parks and recreation brings us together, strengthens our health and well-being, and builds more resilient, connected communities.
Your City of Roanoke Department of Parks and Recreation (a.k.a. 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. Our park crews manage 69 public properties including 51 parks, 8 plazas, 7 greenways, 2 outdoor swimming pools, 8 recreation centers, and more than 100 miles of paved and natural surface trails.
Celebrate Park and Recreation Professionals Day
Friday, July 17 is a day to celebrate Park and Recreation Professionals, of which the City of Roanoke has 70 full-time and approximately 160 part-time and seasonal employees rounding out our team! Interested in joining these hardworking professionals? See open positions here!
Learn more about the work we do.
Ways to Celebrate Park and Recreation Month
Freedom Festival & Fireworks
Every year, we kickoff Park and Rec month with our annual fireworks display and Freedom Festival, this year Celebrating 250 Years of Liberty! The event will be held Friday, July 3 at River’s Edge Park North. Join us for free, family-friendly activities like bounce houses and inflatables, face painting, photo booth, a climbing wall, 5 minute portraits, and more! City of Roanoke Public Libraries will be joining us for pop-up storywalks, crafts, giveaways, and more. Five Points Music Sanctuary is bringing a loaded Roanoke All-Star Jam featuring local and regional musicians. Plus, a wide variety of food trucks will be on-site and beverages for ages 21+ will also be available for purchase. Cap off the festival experience by enjoining the annual fireworks display!
Brazilian Soccer, Field Days, and more summer fun!
Want to share the excitement of the World Cup with your kids? Sign them up for Brazilian Soccer Summer Camp, happening at River’s Edge Park July 13-17! Camp is open to players age 4-14 and taught by professional coaches with Brazilian United. We’ve also got two Free Field Days this month, happening at Preston Park and Highland Park. These field days are a great way to spend an afternoon in the park playing with new friends! For even more summer fun, sign up for our P.L.A.Y. All Day Summer Camp happening all month long!
USA Cycling National Championships
For the second year, Roanoke is hosting the USA Cycling Endurance Mountain Bike National Championships from July 12 to 19. With races at Elmwood Park, Carvins Cove, and Roanoke County’s Explore Park, it’s going to be a busy week! This is a must-see event, and one of the best ways to be involved is by volunteering. Big events like this are not possible without a supportive community, so show your support by signing up for a shift or two!
Cool Off at a Pool or Rec Center
July is HOT, so it’s a great time to cool off at a city pool or indoor recreation center! Visit one of our two outdoor pools at Fallon Park or Washington Park, and enjoy a refreshing dip or a trip down the slide! Both pools are open six days a week – find more info here. If you’d prefer to cool off indoors, you might enjoy the brand new Eureka Recreation Center! The large gymnasium is perfect for staying active while dodging the high temps. You can also kick back with board game in the community room or relax with a book in the lounge. For an educational experience, head to Mill Mountain’s Discovery Center. The inviting atmosphere and friendly staff will ensure you have a great time exploring the exhibits, free crafts, and more.
Happy Park and Rec Month, Roanoke!
