SEPTEMBER 2023
Have you heard the news? We're celebrating a milestone! Earlier this year, the City of Roanoke surpassed 100 miles of trails and greenways in our parks system. To recognize this accomplishment, we'll be holding a Volunteer Trail Work Day followed by a Celebration of 100+ Miles of Trails and Greenways, to be held on National Public Lands Day, September 23. Join us in continuing the work of building local trails, then raise a glass to celebrate the hard work of building the 100+ miles we have so far!
GO VOLUNTEER!
Volunteer sign up for the Roanoke GO Outside Festival is open! Join the awesome crew that makes this fan-favorite festival possible! Shifts include ID checks/serving beer, keeping the festival clean on the Green Team, assisting with activities, and much more. Need an extra incentive? All GO Fest volunteers this year will get a free eno hammock in addition to the volunteer t-shirt and other perks!
FREE YOUTH BIKE RACE SERIES IS BACK!
We've got two free youth mountain bike races this September at Washington Park! These races are a great way for novice riders to participate in a short, spectator-friendly course. Racers age 2-14 are invited to participate, with separate races for different ages/skill levels. Both programs will be held at Washington Park (upper), but the race course will be different for each date. It's free to sign up, but pre-registration is strongly encouraged to make the check in process faster! Check in will start at 4:30 PM, and the races will begin at 5:30 PM.
WHAT'S LUV?

We'll be livin' it up on September 24 with two of the biggest names in hip hop - Ja Rule + Ashanti! Prepare to be mesmerized, this show is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Tickets are $45 in advance, $50 the day of. Show starts at 7:00 PM, and you better believe it's always on time!
PLAY PRIDE SOFTBALL IS BACK!
After a successful first season of PLAY PRIDE softball, we're back with again this fall! This program started in partnership with the Roanoke Diversity Center and Blue Ridge Pride Sports as a welcoming, LGBTQ+ friendly league, and it's a great place for those looking for a fun and supportive community. Whether you're new to the game or you've been playing for years, PLAY PRIDE is a great way to enjoy the sport. Games start September 10 and go through October. Sign up today for just $30.
SOAK UP THE SUN
The official first day of fall isn't until the end of this month, so there's still plenty of time to enjoy a summer paddle! We've got two opportunities for you to Learn to Stand Up Paddleboard (September 6 & 20) and a Sunset Kayak Excursion on September 26. Let us help you enjoy the remainder of these warm summer days out on the water!
DISCOVER OUR TRAILS AND GREENWAYS
We're very excited about our Celebration of 100+ Miles of Trails and Greenways planned for September 23, but we're also pumped to share another project honoring our trails and greenways, in the form of a StoryMap. StoryMaps are used to share maps in a narrative context, incorporating photos for an engaging experience. Explore our local trails and learn more about their history and the individuals and organizations that contributed to building them! The photo above is from the signing of the first Greenway Commission Intergovernmental Agreement in 1997.
TAKE UP TAI CHI
Join us for a beginner-friendly Tai Chi series in the beautiful Fishburn Mansion gardens. Learn this ancient Chinese martial art with an experienced instructor. Tai Chi is known for its health benefits; combining gentle physical exercise and movement with mindfulness. The six-week series meets each Wednesday evening from September 20 through October 25. Space is limited.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
September 6-27
September 23