The City of Salem broke ground on another phase of the Roanoke River Greenway this morning as city officials and State Legislators ceremoniously turned the first scoops of dirt for a project that will eventually tie into the existing Greenway Trail at Salem’s Moyer Park.
“The groundbreaking today represents the first step in more than 10 miles of planned trails in the city between the Roanoke River Greenway and the Mason Creek Greenway,” says Salem Planner Ben Tripp. “This step is the first link that eventually will connect with pieces in Roanoke City and Roanoke Co. making it possible to walk from Botetourt County to Montgomery County along the Roanoke River.”
This 1.2 mile long phase of the project will be the longest trail the City has constructed to date. Eventually, the greenway in Salem will extend to Mill Lane to the west and Apperson Dr. to the east. This will provide a continuous link to trails in both Roanoke City and Roanoke County.
“You can walk the kids or your dog, stroll the baby and also bike along these trails while enjoying all the views of the river, plus there eventually will be other amenities like benches and canoe launches,” says Tripp.
Salem has been a leader in terms of greenway construction for years. The City built the David Smith Trail and the Hanging Rock Battlefield Trail, two of the first such trails in the valley, more than a decade ago.
“We really appreciate the state’s involvement with the project in terms of funding it through enhancement funds,” says Tripp.
Allegheny Construction will handle the development of this $470,000 phase of the Roanoke River Greenway, which is officially titled Phase II A.

Submitted by Mike Stevens, City of Salem

Photo above:L to R) Mayor Randy Foley, Bill Jones, Jane Johnson, Lisa Garst and Vice-Mayor John Givens