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

Fall 2025 Activity Guide

Recent Park Improvements

View All

Three new commemorative benches installed on Roanoke River Greenway.

Six new trails constructed on Mill Mountain in partnership with the Roanoke Parks Foundation.

New trash cans installed at Triangle Park, Municipal Building, Lacks Plaza, Freedom Plaza, and Andrews Park.

New picnic area along Roanoke River Greenway installed at Smith Park.

Recent Blog Posts

View All
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update Approved
On Monday, October 20, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update was unanimously approved by…
Read Post
Roanoke Hosts Inspiring 2025 VRPS Annual Conference
To cap off a busy month, from October 26-29 Roanoke proudly hosted over 400 park…
Read Post
Explore a Neighborhood Park for National Walk to a Park Day!
Friday, October 10 is National Walk to a Park Day. Celebrate the occasion by exploring…
Read Post
Parents’ Guide to the 2025 GO Outside Festival
When it comes to outdoor family fun, the Anthem GO Outside Festival (or simply GO…
Read Post
See Iceland’s Northern Lights and Discover Canyon Country on a PLAY Roanoke Tour!
Get ready for big adventure because PLAY Roanoke is going global! We are very excited to…
Read Post
Help us find a new home for our Pump Track!
When the new asphalt pump track at Wasena Park opens, the previous one will be…
Read Post
September is for Outdoor Adventure!
The temperatures are beginning to cool off, leaves are starting to change, and your September…
Read Post
Take the Surveys on McCadden and Washington Park Master Planning
Roanoke Parks and Recreation is currently developing master plans for Washington Park & McCadden Park.…
Read Post