Noke News explores parts of Roanoke by foot, equipped with a camera and a notepad, in hopes of learning something new. Perhaps you will too.

This is Part 1 of an Exploring Roanoke series that covers: the current (as of May, 2008) entire nearly 6 miles of the Roanoke River Greenway, Wasena Park, The Skate Park, Smith Park, Piedmont Park, and lots of scenery along the way.

(For a general introduction to the greenway system in Roanoke, you may want to first visit a previous post.)

Distance (Part 1): approx 1/2 mile

Over at Roanoke RnR, I recently saw a post about Wiley Drive which reminded me of an area that I hadn’t visited in quite some time. In fact, over the past few years I’ve traveled along Wiley Drive via automobile at most once or twice, but never in my life on foot that I can remember.

So, when I found out that the Roanoke River Greenway connects to and follows along sections of Wiley Drive, a seed of increasing anticipation was planted in my mind. I knew that traversing along this way would be more than simply exercising or getting some fresh air (of course there’s plenty of both), but the entire experience is an adventure in itself.

We’ll begin at one main entrance to the greenway, which is at Wasena Park. 

The morning was beautiful and pleasant, with early sunshine causing the previous night’s dew to glisten on the grass. The air was slightly crisp, but comfortable, and I knew within an hour or so my jacket would just end up being carried and not worn. So, I left it the car.

The Roanoke River Greenway is aptly named because the path leads you never more than about a stone’s throw from the river.  The path actually, at various points, crosses the river or leads you along the way while just on top of the bank and looking down at the moving water itself.

And though the greenway was my overall guide, as you’ll see on occasion I ventured slightly off the path for a photo-op or a little more adventure.

Wasena Park

The journey begins in Wasena Park, at the starting point (or ending point depending on which way you’re going) for the greenway. On the left side of the parking lot is the greenway entrance, as directed by the nearby brown sign depicting hikers and a bicycle.

The start / end of the Roanoke River Greenway

 After parking you will notice a children’s playset and also in the distance a covered patio area with picnic tables. The combination of both makes up part of Wasena Park.

The play area and covered patio area in Wasena Park

I parked and made my way to the greenway. I took the first several steps and my anxious eyes followed the paved path until it became lost in the trees. The path is paved and smooth, and continues the same as far as I could see, and it’s a relatively level walkway througout.

After walking past the play area and patio, visibility opens greatly and I can see the path runs along the far backside of Wasena Park. Currently, the left side is gated with orange construction netting, and the river is beyond that and further down the bottom of the hill.

I’m finding this section of the walk to be quiet and peaceful. Even if children are playing nearby or a game or two is taking place at the adjacent ball fields, the path leads far enough away so that any human noise does not completely drown out the sounds of nature.

Far off in the distance I can see Mill Mountain, and even faintly make out the Star on top. By this time, I can also see the Wasena Bridge (which runs along Main Street, and connects to Elm Avenue.) And it occurs to me that eventually I’ll have to walk under the bridge to continue on my way.

Mill Mountain and the Wasena Bridge as seen from the Roanoke River Greenway

Little did I know that, of all places, beneath the bridge is a Roanoke City Park. Some of you may already know or have an idea of what I’m talking about and we’ll both check it out, as well as encounter and cross the river, in Exploring Roanoke - The Roanoke River Greenway (Part 2).