EXPLORE PARK MASTER PLAN Agenda

90 minute meeting duration

• Introduction • Understanding the Park • Small Group Discussions LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE ROANOKE COUNTY MASTER PLANNING

PARKS OPERATIONS & ENGINEERING PROGRAMMING Goals

• Create a long term road map for decision-making • Understand connections among local, regional, and national park trends • Design a site plan to capitalize on existing and potential uses and resources • Generate an effective business plan that includes both public & private investment • Determine appropriate locations and necessary investments in park infrastructure and utilities • Raise awareness and foster stewardship for Explore Park and Roanoke County Schedule

JUL AUG SEP OCT Nov DEC JAN FEB MAR

July 2015: Master Plan Kickoff Meeting September – October 2015: Community Meetings October 31, 2015: Public Input Survey Deadline November 2015: Planning and Conceptual Development December – January 2016: Cost Modeling and Business Plan February 2016: Final Master Plan Document March 2016: Master Plan Presentation to County Board of Supervisors Project Site

• 1,100 Acres • 14 Parcels - noncontiguous • 2 Counties 700 +/- acres in Roanoke County 400 +/- acres in Bedford County • 1 River (1.87 miles along Explore Park)

Explore Park and Adjacent Land Ownership

The combination of public and protected land provides scenic, recreational and habitat value along the Roanoke River.

The combined land area in other public ownership, especially the reclaimed landfill, roughly doubles the size of the park.

() Regional Demographics

Population Age Segments Nationwide Recreational Activity Trends Local Recreational Activity Trends

Local Participatory Trends - Outdoor Activity

Estimated % of Population Activity MPI Participants Service Area USA Hunting with Rifle 20,412 6.3% 4.6% 137 Hunting with Shotgun 17,020 5.2% 4.0% 130 Fishing (fresh water) 49,991 15.4% 12.4% 124 Boating (power) 20,597 6.3% 5.3% 120 Canoeing/kayaking 20,083 6.2% 5.4% 115 Horseback riding 8,967 2.8% 2.5% 113 Target Shooting 16,472 5.1% 4.6% 112 Went overnight camping 46,166 14.2% 12.7% 112 Backpacking 10,135 3.1% 2.9% 107 Walking for Exercise 95,856 29.5% 28.1% 105 Bicycling (road) 33,015 10.2% 9.8% 104 Hiking 32,965 10.2% 10.0% 102 Bicycling (mountain) 13,251 4.1% 4.0% 102 Fishing (salt water) 13,179 4.1% 4.1% 101 Archery 11,047 8.7% 9.0% 97 Jogging/Running 39,702 12.2% 12.7% 96 Preliminary Benchmarking and Market Analysis

A 60 minute drive time from Explore Park was utilized for demographic and trends analysis.

• State Park • • Smith Mountain Lake State Park • • New River Trail State Park • Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park • Glen Maury Park

Finding the Balance

The master plan for Explore Park will balance preservation and development of four categories of existing and proposed features.

Recreational Natural Amenities Resources

Cultural Infrastructural Resources Amenities Finding the Balance

1. Recreational Amenities 2. Natural Resources 3. Infrastructural Amenities 4. Cultural Resources Hike, Bike, Paddle & Fish

• Explore Park is uniquely situated to connect to the Roanoke River Greenway, the Roanoke River Blueway and Smith Mountain Lake. • The woods and terrain of Explore Park are ideal for the creation of outdoor adventure programs. • The 12.5 mile trail system of the Park includes 5.2 miles of walking trails and 7.3 miles of biking trails, allowing users of all skill levels to enjoy the outdoors. • The ability to reach and get into/on the river is key to maximizing visitation.

Recreational Amenities Summary

Challenges • Steep slopes and accessibility • How to complement other regional outdoor amenities without competing within the region • Disconnected parcels limit distribution of recreational amenities

Opportunities • To be a regional leader in outdoor adventure • Connect to regional recreational assets with greenways and blueways • Increased river access • Cost recovery through recreation services • Increased programming and special events Finding the Balance

1. Recreational Amenities 2. Natural Resources 3. Infrastructural Amenities 4. Cultural Resources Rocks, River, Forest & Fields

• Three types of bedrock beneath the park, located in three geologic zones, helps shape its unique landform. • The Roanoke River Gorge is one of only three water gaps through the Blue Ridge Mountains.

• The Roanoke River is the backbone of the park, its identity and its relationship with the region.

• The park’s rolling terrain frames the river valley and includes a 500’ foot grade change from the River to the ridgetops. Nine tributary valleys connect to the river.

• The Point, where the Roanoke River meets Back Creek, is a focal point of the park.

• The hardwood forest and fields provides diverse wildlife habitat and opportunities to connect with nature. Natural Resources Summary

Challenges • The Roanoke River’s poor water quality after storms • Steep slopes are prone to erosion • Protection of sensitive areas from impacts of increased park programming

Opportunities • Safeguard and improve water quality • Showcase/celebrate the unique natural features of the park • Provide natural resource education and interpretation Finding the Balance

1. Recreational Amenities 2. Natural Resources 3. Infrastructural Amenities 4. Cultural Resources Entry, Access and Functionality

• The Parkway is a key tourism connector for the Roanoke region. • The entrance and its overlooks connect the park to the , and provide a dramatic entry to the park. • Existing roads in the park provide access to parking and visitor facilities. • Proposed public water and sewer connections would provide cost effective service and safeguard water quality.

Infrastructure Summary

Challenges • Connections to outlying parcels • River, steep slopes, and railroad limit connections to Bedford County • Balancing facility/resource capacity with present/future demand

Opportunities • Improved access to park/new gateways • Connect park on both sides of Roanoke River • Enhanced circulation plan serving all users • Connect to proposed water and sewer Finding the Balance

1. Recreational Amenities 2. Natural Resources 3. Infrastructural Amenities 4. Cultural Resources Heritage, Interpretation and Education

• The Blue Ridge Parkway brings nearly 13.9 million tourists through Roanoke every year, approximately 40,000 visitors to Explore Park • The relocated barns, cabins and mill help tell the story of the region’s heritage and could be reused for park purposes.

Cultural Resources Summary

Challenges • Limitations of historic structure use and program • Location of historic structures limits other additional program development

Opportunities • Attract more visitors from the Blue Ridge Parkway • Cultural resource education and interpretation • Adaptive re-use of historic structures What we have heard so far….

Better image??

12 Stakeholder Meetings 4 Community Meetings Over 700 Online Survey Responses

… and what that may look like….

Hike Bike Cross the River Get to the River Get on the River River Trails Preserve Nature Protect What Makes It Special

Terrain Wildlife Wetlands

Clearings Forest Trails Deep Woods Learn about Nature View Wildlife Adventure Sports Ropes Course Event Spaces

…. + Events! Play Areas Dog Parks + Off-leash Zones Shooting Sports Cultural Heritage + Adaptive Reuse Overnight Accommodations Shopping + Dining Special Event Pavilion + Group Retreat Destination Attraction Public Input & The Master Plan

Continued Community Engagement • Using existing stakeholder groups • Continued public outreach

Public Input + Stakeholder Groups + Master Steering Committee + Plan Roanoke County + Design Team

Now we would like to hear from you……

Recreational Natural Amenities Resources

Cultural Infrastructural Resources Amenities

Feedback will be reviewed and used to help guide development of the master plan. Ground Rules for Discussion

• Respect each other and the group

• Limit comment time to allow others to speak

• Focus comments on the subject of discussion

• One comment at a time

• All ideas are valid For more information, to make comments or to take the online survey on the Explore Park Master Plan, please visit: www.explorepark.org/masterplan