Blacksburg parks director outlines greenway network and asks residents for input

Dean Crane, director of the Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Department, described Blacksburg's greenway network and urged residents to help identify connections and provide easements that would allow the town to link disconnected trails.

Crane said the Huckleberry Trail, which runs between Blacksburg and Christiansburg and passes through Virginia Tech, is "over 15 miles of trail," and that the town has roughly 25 miles of trails in total though "not all connected." He described the most recent work as the Meadowbrook Greenway, which he said links Heritage Park and the Huckleberry Trail to Brush Mountain Park.

To expand the network, Crane asked residents to share ideas about missing links and to consider participating on town committees. He said that property owners can help by granting easements when their land sits on a potential connection route. "I think it's really about quality of life," Crane said, noting that people use trails for many reasons and that some buyers seek housing close to trail access.

The presentation did not include formal votes or proposals to adopt new policy. Crane's remarks were descriptive and focused on outreach and planning rather than a specific funding or regulatory action. The Parks and Recreation Department invited residents to submit ideas and inquiries to staff or through town committee channels.