Retire VA 22 - 6

Affordable,
Exciting, Thriving
written by Rachael Smith
You'll be hard-pressed to find a better
spot to retire than in Southwest Virginia.
Mill Mountain Star
I
f you're looking for the easy, breezy
retiree life, Southwest Virginia
has it all ranging from beautiful
views, low costs of living, exciting
outdoor recreation and a thriving
downtown community.
The City of Roanoke Parks and
Recreation department oversees
nearly 14,000 acres of public land and
offers over two thousand recreational
opportunities each year.
Roanoke City is home to 60 parks, over
90 miles of trails and greenways, five
plazas, two pools and seven recreation
centers.
Molly Hagan, Marketing Coordinator
for Roanoke Parks and Recreation says
the historic Fishburn Mansion is one of
the most unique recreation centers you'll
find. This 42-room Georgian revival
mansion was built in 1907 and donated to
the City of Roanoke in 1955. The property
is now home to many of the department's
Community Recreation programs such as
yoga lessons, gardening programs in the
expansive community gardens, tai chi,
paint parties and even regular meetings
of card and board game players.
6 / Retire-VA.com / RETIRE-VA 2023
She says the Community Recreation
department also organizes trips and day
tours.
" The Outdoors staff makes great
use of the City's endless recreational
opportunities with programs like local
hikes, local restaurant tours by bike
and paddling programs on the Roanoke
River and Carvins Cove recreation area, "
Hagan says. " Mill Mountain is located
minutes from downtown Roanoke,
offering a fantastic view of the city, as
well as a wildflower garden, interpretive
center and plenty of trails for hiking or
mountain biking. Enjoy the convenience
of a bustling downtown located a stone's
throw from outdoor recreation! "
Those looking for volunteer
opportunities will have plenty to choose
from.
" Our crew overseeing the region's
Trails & Greenways have monthly work
days, completing a range of projects
to benefit this expansive network of
pathways throughout the city, " she says.
The department also hosts special
events throughout the year requiring the
help of many volunteers, such as concerts
at the Elmwood Park Amphitheater, the
fall Roanoke GO Outside Festival, racing
events and many more.
Kait Pedigo, Event Manager for the
Roanoke Outside Foundation, echoed
Hagan, saying that the whole system of
trails and greenways in the City are easy,
accessible and great for a casual walk or
stroll.
Roanoke Outside Foundation is an
nonprofit group that exists to amplify all
the good things that are happening in the
region and the outdoors, which is a really
broad thing, Pedigo says.
The organization works with
municipalities to identify places, trails,
rivers and mountains and other access
points to the outdoors.
" We work with the landowners to use
them and promote them to the best of
their use and make sure that people are
aware of them and enjoying them, " she
says.
What it's probably best known for
though is its signature outdoor events, in
which three are put on each year.
Those events include the Blue Ridge
Marathon held in April, the Blue Ridge Go
COURTESY OF ROANOKE PARKS AND REC
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