Region Featured in National Recreation and Park Association Report

The Roanoke Regional Partnership and Roanoke Outside are featured as a successful case study in a just-released National Recreation and Park Association report, Promoting Parks and Recreation’s Role in Economic Development. 

The report acknowledges that Roanoke Outside, working with the City of Roanoke Parks and Recreation and other parks departments “have helped establish a new brand for the Roanoke Region.”

The case study (page 12) addresses the impact of the Foot Levelers Blue Ridge Marathon and GO Fest on the region’s image as an active outdoor community. It also notes the impact of that image on attracting businesses that share those outside values such as Deschutes Brewery, Humm Kombucha, and Backcountry.com. 

The community’s reputation for livability also aids talent recruitment for institutions such as the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute. 

You can see the entire report here.