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 9 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 8, we had just passed the landmark of the bridge on Walnut Avenue.

The next notable stop is for Piedmont Park, which isn’t too far ahead, but along the way the path itself is rather thoughtfully distinguishing.

A wooden fance acts as a guard rail as well as leads the way.

Just ahead is an intersection with Arbor Avenue.

A blockage parallel to the pathway marks an interesction with Arbor Avenue

After a short walk further we reach Piedmont Park, which directly borders the greenway.

I step slightly off the path to grab a picture of the main entrance to the park.

The entrance to Piedmont Park, the greenway runs in the background just behind the sitting space that appears to the left in the picture.) alt=

A Familiar Rumbling

Now back to the path and walking towards and alongside the park. I once again hear a familiar rumbling in the not to distant background.

As seen from the greenway path, a train passes by on the other side of the River.

And, there on the other side of the river I saw a train passing by. Roanoke’s heritage in the railroad industry means that just about anywhere you go in the City (even via foot on a greenway) you’re bound to hear or come into contact with a train quite frequently.

Piedmont Park

The greenway path runs alongside Piedmont Park to the left, and for slightly more wary travelers there’s a bench for brief resting.

Piedmont Park alongside the Roanoke River Greenway.

The large clump of trees in the background is of course Mill Mountain, and at this distance the Star is viewable even when not shining. I can only imagine the view at a little before dusk if walking along this way. (I’ll have to take that picture for a future post!)

Mill Mountain and the Star as seen from the Roanoke River Greenway.

Back to the path and walking again, there’s still a moderate way to go. And, I think next time I may finish up this Exploring Roanoke - The Roanoke River Greenway series primiarily with pictures and with a few notes along the way.