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 8 in 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: approx. 1/2 mile

Last time in Part 7, where the greenway appears to end near Roanoke Memorial Hospital, we took a slight detour to continue on our way.

After the break in the path, the greenway starts once again.

In my experience, this section of the greenway has considerably less foot and bicycle traffic than the previous sections (starting with Part 1).

However, along this way the Roanoke River is still never more than about a stone’s throw from the pathway. So, at anytime a slight diversion down at the water’s edge is only a handful of steps away.

Let’s continue the journey:

Close encounters with area citizens

As noticed in the last picture from Part 7, the pathway actually seems to nearly lead through the yards of some Roanoke residents.

In fact, at one point ahead a house is so close to the greenway path that I comfortably offered a friendly “Hello” to the owner without having to raise my voice even slightly.

I suppose they are used to passerbys.

Duck Crossing

Not too far ahead is where I encountered an unmarked duck crossing. I had seen them crossing the path before but wasn’t able to react quick enough to snap a photo.

But this time, (when actually on my way back coming in the opposite direction) the last duck moved just slow enough that I was able to capture the moment.

The last of a group of ducks cross the greenway path from the river to the backyard of a nearby house.

They seemed to congregate in the backyard of a nearby house and I can only assume that dinnertime was approaching via some free handouts from a friendly citizen.

Onward, a notable marker to the side of the path is a fenced off electrical site.

This electrical site marks about the halfway point along the Roanoke River Greenway

I only mention it as a way to designate distance traveled, which by my calculations bring us to a total of about 2 3/4 miles since everything started at Wasena Park.

Bridge at Walnut Avenue

In the background of the photo is also the bridge along Walnut Avenue. After walking a little bit further the bridge comes into better view.

Walnut Avenue bridge as seen from the Roanoke River Greenway

As many of you probably already know, the road that is Walnut Avenue here eventually leads up Mill Mountain and to the Star just a few short miles from this point.

Though it’s not part of the actual path I decided to climb the moderate hill to the right and up onto the sidewalk, and then to the bridge for some better views.

And the bridge very graciously provided an excellent view of where we had come from so far.

Looking back from the Walnut Avenue bridge onto the greenway in the direction of Roanoke Memorial Hospital

As well as a peek of what was ahead, and Piedmont Park is off in the distance a little bit out of sight.

Looking ahead onto the greenway from the Walnut Avenue bridge

But, we’ll check it out next time in Exploring Roanoke - The Roanoke River Greenway (Part 9).