Parks and Spaces for Play

We are so fortunate to live among the natural geographic assets that we have here in Montgomery County, and our connection to the broader New River and Roanoke Valleys. Our towns have done a great job in creating spaces where the community can be come together and be active – playgrounds, bike parks, skate parks, pools, ballfields, etc. – the county also has assets, but I think that growth and sprawl has created opportunities or possibly even necessity, to add more spaces that are accessible to our growing community. Expanding recreational spaces can be accomplished many ways. Preservation of existing green spaces, new parks, and public-private partnerships are just a few examples.

District E is arguably the most rural district in Blacksburg, but that is also one of the many reasons we love living here. From its rolling farmlands, to secluded and dense woods, you feel like you are off the grid, but you’re rarely more than 15 minutes away from the attractions and amenities in town. However, unless you live in the Long Shop/McCoy part of the county, that means you are probably more than a walk or a bike ride to the nearest park or playground. Parks create great spaces for families to play, community members to connect, and promote healthy activities that improve the lives of our residents. With ongoing development along Prices Fork Road adding in excess of 700 new homes, in addition to the hundreds of residents that already live on or along this strand in the county, I can’t think of a better place to develop the county’s next Parks and Recreation asset. A park here would be a great complement to the redevelopment at the old Prices Fork Elementary, and would be within a reasonable walk or bike ride for a significant portion of this community.