Little did people know before 20 years ago that someday soon, anyone who wants will be able to walk, jog or ride a bike from Botetourt and the Hollins area along creeks and the Roanoke River to Vinton, from Valley View Mall area and to downtown Roanoke, through Salem and on toward Greenhill Park in Roanoke County.

While each section of the Roanoke River Greenway was built by individual jurisdictions and reflects each of them, cooperation which brought about the Greenways network is a wonder in itself. After all, a little more than 40 years ago jurisdictions were wary of each other in the wake of annexation possibilities, and now five localities – Botetourt, Roanoke counties, the Town of Vinton and cities of Roanoke and Salem – have cooperated to build a network that is the Roanoke River Greenway.

And next year, trail access on 235 newly accessed acres will directly connect the Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail and Mason Creek Trail to tie into East Main Street in Salem. The Greenway Commission has purchased a 50 percent interest and has a memorandum of understanding with the landowner for the Hinchee property where the Hinchee Store was once located, Roanoke Valley Greenway Coordinator Liz Belcher said. Soon, the long-promised greenway at Elizabeth Campus near the Salem YMCA will be built, Belcher said. Those are some of the aspects highlighted by Belcher – the only paid staff member – to members of the Salem City Council Monday night.

With her were Salem Greenways representatives Dee King and Ben Tripp, as well as Greenway Commission Chairman Arthur L. LaRoche III. What she went over in a work session before the meeting with Councilmembers was the 2018 Roanoke Valley Greenway Plan, which is available online at greenways.org.

In the main meeting, Council unanimously adopted the plan. Other member jurisdictions have done the same. Much of the funding for the Greenway came from state and federal money, with matching local funds, private donations and volunteer hours.

In the last ten years, $16.9 million has been awarded for the Greenway in Salem, Belcher pointed out. “As we get the Greenway all connected, there will be more trails for Salem,” she promised, referring to how far people will be able to go. A total of $44.4 million in grants and allocations have been made for the Greenway throughout the valley since 2007. The growth in the Greenway network since 1995 has been 1.9 miles in paved cinder path (such as Greenhill Park) to 53.3 miles by 2018; 60 miles in 1995 and 361 miles now in trails; 9.6 miles to 135 miles of bike routes by this year, for a total of 550.2 miles of paths, trails and bike routes in the Valley.

The big jump came when Botetourt County joined in, adding 300 miles, Belcher said. Among what’s coming for the future: “We’re working now on apps, and better info on Google maps to help the people who can only find their way if they have a phone,” said Belcher, mentioning today’s younger people. She added that new objectives include considering renewable energy options, and that she was thankful Salem has budgeted some money for pushing mud after high water and mowing.

Mayor Randy Foley wondered “if we should consider having a dedicated crew for the Greenway?” for maintenance.City Manager Kevin Boggess answered “There has been some talk about sharing a crew. I don’t know if we need a dedicated crew of five.” Assistant City Manager Jay Taliaferro added that city staff have talked about removing some of the fences along the Greenway “so we could send a tractor to mow instead of five people with Weedeaters.” Belcher pointed out the economic impact of having Greenways, which attract visitors, potential businesses and potential new residents who want to get outside.

“It’s all about quality of life, using the opportunity to get outside,” she concluded. Dee King added that at a series of public input meetings on the Greenway around the region, “A lot of people were asking how we could attach to the Huckleberry Trail” in the New River Valley. Belcher said she was open to discussions, but has not been contacted directly by New River Valley representatives.