‘Let’s Go Boco’ web app debuts; county highlights parks, tourism grants and sports-complex economic impact

Botetourt County planners demonstrated a newly launched public web application, “Let’s Go Boco,” designed to help residents and visitors discover local parks, trails and recreational amenities. County staff said the application was developed in-house using ArcGIS and currently maps more than 50 locations, including trails, parks, waterways and regional links to Roanoke-area recreation resources.

Victor Morales, Parks and Recreation staff, said the tool provides site information, directions and a form for residents to suggest additional locations. Morales described the app as a way to make “self-guided adventures” easier and said a mobile-friendly version is available on the county’s website.

Morales also provided several parks updates: the county received a $9,032 regional grant via Roanoke Outside and Roanoke Regional Partnership to improve Last Lock Park in New Castle with pavilion repairs, signage and fence work; a potential $11,000 donation of a modular temporary demonstration pool is under discussion; and planned resurfacing projects would create permanent tennis courts and four lined pickleball courts at Buckhannon Recreation Park and Blue Ridge Park.

On sports tourism, Morales said the county’s sports complex hosts numerous tournaments and that a conservative estimate for 13 county-specific tournaments shows about 6,000 participants and spectators generating an estimated $1.5 million in regional economic impact (hotel, food and local spending) based on Visit Virginia’s Blue Ridge calculations. Morales urged continued investment in the sports complex to support tourism and local recreation opportunities.

Supervisors and staff said they welcome continued public input and will work to maintain and update the web app and complete capital projects as weather and contractor schedules allow.