Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
City Manager reports: murals, interactive art at Eureka Park and a pilot goat-grazing project for invasive vegetation
Summary
City Manager Turner told council on Sept. 2 that artists have begun a mural at Washington Park pool house, staff is preparing an art call for Eureka Park Recreation Center installations, and landscape management will pilot a goat-grazing program at Valley Park to control invasive plants.
City Manager Turner provided several operational updates to Roanoke City Council on Sept. 2, describing public-art projects and a vegetation-management pilot intended to address difficult terrain.
Turner said artists Brandon Flowers and Katrina Leggins have begun painting a mural on the new Washington Park pool house and that participatory paint sessions engaged community members over two recent weekends. Turner also said staff is working with artist Robin Mitchell to develop a call for proposals for interactive art installations at the under-construction Eureka Park Recreation Center, with selected works to be installed in spring 2026 before the center reopens.
On vegetation management, Turner described a pilot project at Valley Park to address persistent invasive plant growth along a retaining wall where traditional brush removal is hazardous. The department is exploring a local contractor that uses goats for targeted grazing; the plan includes rotating fenced grazing sections and neighborhood outreach via door hangers and the neighborhood association. If successful, the grazing could be repeated every six to eight months and expanded to other difficult-to-maintain locations.
Turner also reported a recent coordinated effort by Public Works, Transportation and Parks & Recreation Urban Forestry to clear vegetation along the rights-of-way on Gus Nix Boulevard and King Street, improving visibility of signals and signage.
Councilmembers responded positively in the meeting record to the pilot goat project and the public-art plans.
