Fifth graders from nearby Penn Forest Elementary School help cut the ribbon on a 900-foot long wetlands trail at the South Roanoke County Library on Merriman Road. The walkway, which has been in use by local residents for several months, is elevated as it travels through a wetland area featuring all sorts of aquatic plants. Eventually the trail will be tied in to the proposed Back Creek Greenway that will be built through the adjacent soccer and baseball fields. It will provide a connection to the walking/running path behind Penn Forest Elementary, allowing for a longer trail.
Roanoke County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Doug Blount spoke at the ribbon cutting. He figures funding for the Back Creek Greenway may be at least 3-4 years away at this point. The wetlands trail currently loops back to the library, where parking is available for those that want to try it out.
(Gene Marrano – photo courtesy Roanoke County)