We've got good news!

Today is April 1! Instead of playing tricks, we decided to share some good news and recent wins with you! Here's a brief rundown, but we recommend getting the full story (plus some photos) on the blog.

Mill Mountain Park will soon have updated trail maps (to include the 4+ miles of trail recently added through a project with the Roanoke Parks Foundation). These trails were awarded "Best Bike Park" in Blue Ridge Magazine's 2026 Best of the Blue Ridge Awards.
New maps will pair nicely with 50+ new trail signs recently installed at Mill Mountain, Carvins Cove, and Morningside Park!
We were selected for a Project Outside grant to restore the Brushy Mountain Fire Road at Carvins Cove, which was damaged by flash flooding in 2025.
Improvements to the Star Trail parking lot off Riverland Road are on the way. This project includes parking lot reconstruction, paving the access road, and a greenway connector from the parking lot to Garden City Greenway.

RECENT WINS FOR PLAY ROANOKE TRAILS AND MORE!

We're a couple of weeks away from the Junk in the Trunk Rummage Sale at Wasena Park on April 18!

Make sure you've got your vehicle cleaned out and ready to be filled with plenty of new finds. There will be about 30 unique vendors to peruse and seek out a treasure - or a few!

FYI, our vendor spaces are sold out, but it's free to come shop!

MORE INFO

We've got exciting news – the Mill Mountain Discovery Center is now open 7 days a week!

We're excited to welcome you all week long to enjoy educational displays, hands-on engagement, free crafts, and more! Our current theme is weather & water. You can also sign up for an upcoming environmental education program, like our popular Nature Lab series, beginning April 8, or a Bug & Bat Night on April 24 (space is limited)!

NEW DISCOVERY CENTER HOURS

Save the Date – May is National Bike Month!

We'll be kicking off Bike Month a couple days early at the Short Track Preview Race "On the Rocks II" on April 29! Then, we'll be getting kids on bikes at the Tiny Tot Tri and the Youth Mountain Bike Race. Plus, if you haven't already heard, we're bringing DISCO back from the dead! Our popular Wednesday Night Disco is back with two races in May, plus new "Boogie on the Mountain" afterparties with music, food trucks, and more!

SEE ALL UPCOMING BIKE PROGRAMS

PARK PROJECT UPDATES

Progress is flowing on the In-River Park! A river access point under Memorial Bridge is nearly complete, and a new stairway upriver of the Wiley Drive low water bridge is also almost done. Work on this project is currently based along the river between Wasena Park and Vic Thomas Park, with construction ongoing through the coming months. Check the project page for background, additional information, and updates.

The Eureka Recreation Center is expected to check off some major milestones this month, so keep an eye on our May newsletter for more details, and follow our social media for any updates along the way!

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Save the Date: Kids to Parks Day

We're celebrating Kids to Parks Day on May 17 with FREE Movies in Elmwood Park! Catch Zootopia 2 and The Great Outdoors on the big screen with us. Enjoy free popcorn, plus food & drink for sale.

See screening times and full Kids to Parks Day details here!

Bonus: Start the day with the Tiny Tot Tri for extra fun!

TRAIL & GREENWAY UPDATES

A number of projects are happening now and in the coming weeks that trail and greenway users should know. Read through this info and remember to check Statusfy for alerts.

🚧 Riverland Road & Trailhead CLOSURE: Coming Soon

An upcoming project along Riverland Road will begin mid-April, lasting approximately 300 days. Riverland Road will be closed to traffic from about 9th Street SE to Garden City Blvd. The Riverland Road (Star Trail) parking lot will remain closed and park users will need to access the trails from an alternative parking location. More info here.

🚧 Brushy Mountain Fire Road CLOSURE: Happening Now

A trail rehabilitation project is happening now on the Brushy Mountain Fire Road. The closure is between Happy Valley and ~.25m past Four Gorge. Work will continue into June 2026.

🚧 Garden City Greenway CLOSURE: Happening Now

A stream restoration project happening between Bandy Rd and Hartsook Blvd SE will be crossing the Garden City Greenway. The project is happening now and will continue into October 2026.

VIEW TRAIL & GREENWAY ALERTS ON STATUSFY

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OFFERING APRIL ADVENTURES FOR ALL INTERESTS

This month we'll be visit Trader Joe's and grabbing lunch in Winston-Salem, exploring three renowned museums in historic Wytheville, catching a matinee at the Barter Theater in Abingdon, and savoring a wine tasting and picnic at King Family Vineyard in Crozet. We hope you can join us! View all upcoming trips!

WORK HARD, PLAY ROANOKE

We’re always looking for new folks to join the PLAY Roanoke crew! With competitive pay, benefits, and an awesome work environment, you’ll love working for PLAY!

★ Tree Trimmer

★ Maintenance Technician IV - Park Management

★ Seasonal Maintenance Worker II - Park Mowing

★ Seasonal Maintenance Worker II - Athletic Fields

★ Maintenance Technician I - Park Cleaning

★ Maintenance Technician I - Park Mowing

★ Recreation Instructor - Outdoor Recreation

★ Recreation Assistant - Community Recreation

★ Recreation Assistant - Youth Development

★ Scorekeeper

★ Lifeguard

★ Pool Clerk

APPLY NOW

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Mimosas at the Mansion is Saturday, May 9!

You're invited to brunch at the Historic Fishburn Mansion and Mountain View Park. This festive event is a sell out every year, so grab your ticket before they're gone! $35/person (ages 21+). TICKETS

ICYMI: Spring Snapshots

We want to see your spring snapshots! Send in your photos and we'll be sharing on our social media throughout the season. We're looking for photos that highlight our park spaces and capture the beauty of spring in Roanoke!

Be sure to follow us @playroanoke on Facebook and Instagram to see more and send in your photos at playroanoke.com/photo-submission.