2018 Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan Planning Trail Connections and Alternate Transportation in the Roanoke Valley

Regional Commission as Incubator Historically housed Greenway Commission Continues to support economic development and outdoor recreation initiatives WRIFA Workforce RideSolutions Roanoke River Blueway How do we envision our role? As a facilitator and incubator. We make connections. Historical Broadband Clean Valley Council

Regional Transportation and Connections RVTPO and Regional Commission Plans Bikeway Plan (2012) Rural Bikeway Plan (Update in Progress) Pedestrian Vision Plan (2015) Transit Vision Plan (2016) Existing Connections SmartWay (Transit) USBR 76 (Bikeway) Appalachian Trail Point out that we have a TPO and explain how that changes our planning/activities.

Greenway Support Member of Greenway Commission Support in drafting 2018 Greenway Plan Trail Counter Maintenance and Analysis This slide is how RVARC supports the GC. Staff – Nonvoting member. Voting member is Lee Osborne (from Board/TPO)

Trail Usage Site ADT (2017) ADTx365 (approx.) Roanoke River - Green Hill Park 35 12,700 Roanoke River - Moyers Sports Complex 83 30,100 Roanoke River - 17th St 124 45,400 Roanoke River - Rivers Edge 394 143,900 Roanoke River - Underhill Ave 49 18,000 Virginia Tourism Corporation 2014 Virginia Mountain Region Travel Profile for Roanoke shows a strong interest in nature-based tourism and recreational tourism offerings. We see that in the trail count numbers. (Average Daily Traffic, multiplied by 365, at 5 locations along Roanoke River Greenway). Not all of these segments are connected so these are most likely distinct users – we expect numbers to go up in outlying sections when connections are made. Site traffic varies year-to-year. In 2018, we are on track to beat these numbers. Counters purchased in partnership with Pathfinders for Greenways and the Greenway Commission

Trail Usage Context for Rivers Edge numbers Keep in mind when considering averages that peak days are weekends – for roughly the same period we see traffic on Sundays averaging at 552 persons a day.

History of the Greenway Commission Flood of 1985 First Greenway Plan completed in 1995 Intergovernmental agreement signed in 1997; included Roanoke County, Vinton, Cities of Roanoke and Salem RVARC housed the Greenway Commission for first two years; Roanoke County now serves as fiscal agent Recent addition of Botetourt County in 2016 Transition from Wayne to Liz Wayne – But how did this come about? Flood of 1985 – flooded multiple properties along the Roanoke River, FEMA buyouts, Army Corps of Engineers dredging project – New corridor for Roanoke River Greenway First Greenway Plan completed in 1995 – Regional Commission contracted Greenways, Inc, to complete the plan Liz – Then the Greenway Commission was formed in 1997, etc. History of the Greenway Commission

Growth in Greenway Network Miles 1995 2007 2018 Paved, cinder 1.9 25.1 53.3 Trails 60.5 138.8 361.6 Bike Routes 9.6 24.7 135.3 Total 72.0 188.6 550.2

Why Build Greenways?

Why Build Greenways? Economic development Scenic beauty Environmental education Green infrastructure Non-motorized transportation Park linkages Biological diversity Recreation Water quality protection Improvement in health Quality of life Air quality protection Bicycle/pedestrian access Wildlife habitat Some of the benefits of Greenways are: Protection of natural resources and environmental education Cultural & historical preservation Improved quality of life and family togetherness Health promotion and recreation emphasizing exercise and social networks Transportation Facilities for the mobility impaired to enjoy the community Opportunities for community involvement Safe place for children to play 10

Partners: Pathfinders for Greenways Non-profit group of volunteers 5000+ hours per year Functions of Pathfinders Construction of natural surface trails Marketing: web, brochures, publicity Help with fundraising and special events Help with maintenance Education Coordination of volunteers Help with amenities Broad Coalition of partners needed to make greenways happen Pathfinders for Greenways is a non-profit organization made up of volunteers. The Pathfinders are involved in: Trail construction Marketing Fundraising and special events Trail maintenance Educating the public and other users Volunteer coordination 11

Other Partners RVARC - Regional Commission Local organizations with similar interests Blue Ridge Land Conservancy Civic leagues, groups, scouts, and schools Western Va. Water Auth. Businesses Citizen volunteers State, federal agencies Grant agencies and organizations User groups Numerous other partners are involved in developing and building the Roanoke Valley Greenways, including: Land Trust Water Authority State and federal agencies User groups Local organizations Granting agencies and organizations Media Civic leagues Scouts Schools Local corporations Local citizen volunteers 12

Stages of Greenway Development Feasibility Analysis and Master Plan: Conceptual Resource Inventory Landownership Patterns Environmental Concerns Cost Estimates and Funding Public Involvement and Consensus Building Design and Engineering: Reality Surface, amenities, final location Engineering and structures Right-of-way acquisition Cost Construction: The Easy Part Management, Operation and Maintenance Design approvals (e.g. VDOT) Permits Bidding DBE, Buy America Inspections Bills, grant management Staffing and budget User conflict avoidance Amenities, wayfinding Law enforcement Maintenance, e.g. mowing 13

2018 Greenway Plan Recommendations

2018 Greenway Plan Recommendations: Roanoke River Greenway Currently high priority to Green Hill Park Planned paved trail Past Green Hill Park – only conceptual Connects to Montgomery County 15

Questions?