Want to play baseball? Connect with nature? Take a bike ride? No matter your favorite outdoor activity, there’s somewhere in Vinton for you to enjoy it. Here, we highlight some of the best places in the area for recreation.
Trailways
According to town manager Chris Lawrence, Wolf Creek Greenway was one of the first greenways established in Roanoke County. The two-mile path – which connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway – is accessible via Stonebridge Park, Goode Park and Lynn Haven Baptist Church. Whether you use it for walking, running, biking, skating or other activities, you’ll pass through parks, beside a creek and through an outdoor classroom where you’ll see markings for native trees.
A special treat, says Mary Beth Layman, is the opportunity to see miniature ponies, sheep and other animals grazing on farmland that backs up to the greenway.
There is hope that Wolf Creek Greenway will one day connect to nearby Tinker Creek Greenway, Lawrence says. If that happens, Wolf Creek will offer access to the entire greenway system.
Vinton also has a quiet nature trail, Glade Town Loop Trail, which Lawrence says is about ¾-mile long and features a bridge over a meandering creek and an overall serene setting.
“When you get on the trail, you don’t feel like you’re in town anymore,” he says.
Parks
Vinton’s largest park, Vinyard Park offers 86 acres of space for leisure activities. It includes sports fields (baseball, soccer and football), a playground, a wooden pathway through wetlands and a picnic shelter.
“It (among others) is a very family-oriented park,” says Lawrence. “Plus, if we can attract tournaments to the sports fields, that would help local businesses gain customers.”
Goode Park, which features part of the Wolf Creek Greenway, has a small picnic shelter and two ballfields. Walk along the greenway and head outside of Goode Park to connect with Stonebridge Park. Here, you’ll find basketball and tennis courts, a baseball field and a playground, as well as picnic shelters and trails.
Although not in Vinton, the Blue Ridge Parkway, where you can enjoy the mountain views at various overlooks, take hikes or visit Explore Park and Mill Mountain Zoo, is just a short drive from town.
