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Council reviews 5-year parks and recreation update: trails, deferred maintenance and staffing flagged as priorities
Summary
Roanoke City Council reviewed a five-year update to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan on Oct. 6. Consultants and staff reported progress since 2019, highlighted $16M+ in capital investments leveraged with federal and state funding, and recommended increased funding for maintenance, additional staffing, and new trails and amenities.
Roanoke City Council on Oct. 6 received the five-year update of the 10-year Parks and Recreation Master Plan. The presentation, led by Director of Parks and Recreation Cindy McFall and BerryDunn consultant Art Thatcher, summarized accomplishments since 2019, remaining priorities and recommended actions for 2025–2030.
The update notes capital progress: about $16 million of local funding was matched by substantial federal, state and private funds to advance park projects. Thatcher said the city has added “9 plus miles of natural and multi surface trail,” rebuilt Washington Park Pool and completed multiple greenway phases. He told council that “for every dollar of local money that was spent, $2 of additional money was used for all of your projects.”
Why it matters: Survey results included in the update show increased use of parks but lower ratings for maintenance and recreation center quality compared with 2019. The consultant presented a Priority Investment Rating that places large community centers, recreation centers, and trails among the higher-priority needs.
Key recommendations and funding: The plan identifies four goals—invest in infrastructure and aging facilities; expand open space and trails; enhance programs and services; and improve organizational efficiency. Specific recommendations include adding indoor recreation space, renovating outdoor aquatic facilities, expanding trail networks and addressing deferred maintenance. The update cited roughly $16.0 million in local capital spending since 2019 and additional match from federal ($13.7M), ARPA ($12.5M), state ($13.5M) and donations ($2.25M).
Staffing and maintenance: The consultant presented a maintenance-capacity analysis showing a shortfall in maintenance hours and recommended adding maintenance technicians and revisiting staffing for urban forestry and trail upkeep. Council members repeatedly framed increased ongoing operating funding and staffing as essential to reversing declines in perceived maintenance quality.
Council response and next steps: Council members expressed support for increased investment in maintenance and public trees, and asked staff to pursue grant opportunities and partnerships that could increase revenue and staffing capacity (including a possible foundation or dedicated grant writer). Council requested continued tracking of KPIs and the plan's incorporation into the Capital Improvement Plan and budgeting cycles.
Quotes: “We added 9 plus miles of natural and multi surface trail,” Art Thatcher said, summarizing capital progress since 2019.
“I think it's clear that we need to increase our overall funding that we spend on parks and rec,” Councilor R. Vollison said.
Ending: The council accepted the five-year update and directed staff to incorporate the plan's priorities into budget planning, pursue grants, and return with implementation timelines for staffing and deferred-maintenance work.
