JANUARY 2023
It's no secret that the start of a new year is a popular time to focus on health and wellness, but it can be challenging to fight off the seasonal gloom. We think the best way to beat the winter blues is through play...it's in our name after all! Whether that means playing a sport, getting outdoors, picking up a new hobby, or finding ways to slow down, we've got you covered. See our top ten ways to beat the winter blues here.
WILL YOU TAKE ON THE 100 MILER CHALLENGE?
We're just days away from the kick off of the 2023 Roanoke 100 Miler! This is a program we look forward to every year as a way to stay motivated and active through the long winter months. The goal is to tackle 100 miles over the course of 100 days (January 8 - April 17). Walk, run, bike, OR substitute one mile for 30 minutes of human powered activity (like yoga, ice skating, basketball, canoeing, etc.). Join the hundreds of Roanokers who take part each year, and see what all the fuss is about!
STAY INFORMED & INVOLVED
Our next community meeting regarding the Eureka Recreation Center redevelopment project will be held on January 24. Final time and location will be announced soon, stay tuned. For those unfamiliar with this project, the renovations to the Eureka Recreation Center were identified as a top need in our department's 10-year Master Plan back in 2019. In 2021, the City of Roanoke allocated $8 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to the Redevelopment of Eureka Recreation Center. In July of 2022, an additional $5 million was added to this project (also from ARPA funding).

With a total of $13 million, this will be the largest investment in a single project in Roanoke Parks and Recreation history.

Community involvement is an important part of this project, so we hope you can join us for our upcoming meeting and share the information with others. Learn more about this project at the link below.
THERE ARE THINGS IN LIFE YOU WILL NEED TO DODGE...
...but this Dodgeball Tournament isn't one of them. Join PLAY Roanoke for our Adult Dodgeball Tournament on January 28 and show off your skills! Get your team together, pick a fun name, and sign up today. We'll have both a co-ed and a men's division. Teams can have 6 to 12 players, and the registration fee is $55 per team.
HELP CLEAR INVASIVE SPECIES
Join us for a work day in Mill Mountain Park to clear invasive species along the Mill Mountain Greenway near the Understory and Watchtower trails. It's critically important to remove these invasive plant species because they crowd out native plants, resulting in negative impacts to wildlife and on the overall ecosystem in our parks. Join us January 25 for a group effort to support the natural beauty of Mill Mountain. For those interested, we also host regular trail work days at Carvins Cove to maintain and build trails in the park.
TREE STEWARD TRAINING
If you're looking for a way to give back this winter, consider taking on a volunteer position as a Tree Steward. This dedicated group helps tend young trees on city-owned property. The training includes nine classroom sessions held on Monday evenings, starting January 23. The classroom sessions are followed by in-field training focused on tree planting, pruning, and tree identification. Space is limited.
COME HANG OUT WITH US
Round up the family and hang out with us for an evening of snacks, hot drinks, and outdoor fellowship at the Mill Mountain Discovery Center on January 13. Come relax around the fire pit as we roast s'mores, swap stories, and celebrate our wonderful outdoor community.
NATURE LAB
Nature Lab is an environmental education series that gets kids hands-on with weekly science exploration. Through an in-depth six-week series, participants will have the opportunity to learn from a fully licensed teacher, based in Mill Mountain Park and Discovery Center. Offering both Tuesday and Wednesday sessions for ages 8-13, starting in January. Space is limited
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
January 9 - February 13
January 14
bike maintanance