Roanoke County secures Explore Park and outlines expansion plans

David Radford, chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, told a sold-out Roanoke Regional Chamber audience that the deeds transferring Explore Park to Roanoke County were officially recorded on Aug. 20, 2025, concluding more than a decade of county investment and partnership.

"Explore Park is now a thriving regional destination," Radford said, describing the site's evolution from a shuttered attraction into a venue that now welcomes more than 300,000 visitors annually. He noted the board had negotiated a 99-year lease in 2013 and that the county has since invested more than $15 million in infrastructure, recreation and operations.

Radford invited County Administrator Doug Blunt and Supervisor Phil North to the stage to recognize their roles in securing legislative authority for the transfer. Looking ahead, he said the county plans to expand overnight accommodations, welcome additional small businesses and vendors, and complete six miles of greenway through the park to strengthen its role as a regional tourism and recreation hub.

County officials framed the transfer as both an asset and a responsibility: Radford said the county can now pursue projects that were previously constrained under lease arrangements, from lodging and food service to expanded trail connections to downtown and the Blue Ridge Parkway. He described Explore Park as a long-term investment in recreation and tourism that can spur related housing, workforce and business development.

The county did not provide a detailed timeline or budget for the new lodging and vendor initiatives during the address. Radford said partners and vendors will be sought in the coming months as planning moves forward.

Radford closed the segment by saying the county will continue to develop the park through partnerships and capital investments, and that county leaders view Explore Park as central to the region's outdoor recreation strategy.