The Roanoker March/April 2022 - 58

outdoors
Left: The Roanoke River ambles
through many of the Roanoke
Valley's parks.
Right: Scott Scharnus and his
eight-year-old son Cameron
prepare for a Saturday morning
football game at Spartan
Stadium in Salem.
" What we've been able to do over the past 10-plus
years is open people's eyes to the fact that our river and
trails can be much more than dirt and water when we
become intentional with them. When we cultivate and
invest in our community strength-the outdoors-they
become economic growth tools. The region's parks and
recreation departments have seen the importance their
roles in economic development increase; they're an integral
part of people's and companies' decisions to locate
here. "
Roanoke was out front as " one of the first economic
development organizations in the U.S. to develop the
outdoors as an economic development sector, " he says.
Roanoke has earned an outdoorsy reputation. " When
looking at how you grow your community there are only
so many things we can change or influence, ensuring that
we are a vibrant community where people want to live, "
Eshelman says.
Scott Scharnus works for the Salem Parks and
Recreation Department and his young family is heavily
involved in the offerings. He and stay-at-home mom
Jessica (both 35) join children Cameron (8), Hudson (5)
and Carson (3) in taking advantage of programs.
" Our family utilizes the Roanoke Valley Greenway
for family walks and bike rides, individual workouts,
fishing and walking paths, " he says. " We use the tennis
courts at the civic center, and attend Red Sox games,
live shows and concerts at the civic center a few times
58 MARCH/APRIL 2022
a year. We go to special events like the pumpkin patch,
Easter egg hunt, downtown trick-or-treating, Christmas
parade, fishing rodeo, kids race, Olde Salem Days, youth
football, basketball, soccer and baseball. We have a very
active family in recreation. "
When Lottie Schottmiller (35) arrived from
Connecticut at Roanoke College, she fell in with Camp
Roanoke and learned a lot about herself. She was so
impressed that she became a counselor and, ultimately,
decided to remain in the Roanoke Valley to raise her
family.
The HR professional at Delta Dental eventually
married lawyer Matt Miller (43) and together they have
Chloe (7) and Emmett (5). All are sold on the parks
and recreation department offerings for their family in
the Roanoke Valley, especially Camp Roanoke, but also
quite a bit else.
" I love the outdoors and decided to stay here, " she says.
Chloe is now a Camp Roanoke camper and one can see
that in Emmett's future, as well. And that's not all.
" I love that the parks departments offer something
year-round, " says Lottie. " We can all go rock climbing
in a gym or watch the Christmas lights at Explore. There
are a lot of different camps for children all with different
themes. I learned to be a leader at Camp Roanoke. The
skills are transferable. "
And if you're looking for something to do ... I
TheRoanoker.com
http://www.TheRoanoker.com
The Roanoker March/April 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Roanoker March/April 2022
