Stephanie Moon Reynolds - Roanoke City Council Candidate
Campground Reopening: Are you committed to working with the National Park Service to reopen the Roanoke Mountain Campground for overnight access?
I would support the City management team working with the National Park Service and other appropriate partners to develop workable options for the future of the former Roanoke Mountain Campground, including the feasibility of restoring overnight camping. Progress reports should be presented to City Council in open session so the public is kept informed.
Roanoke's outdoor recreational assets are an important part of our community and contribute to recreation, tourism, and economic activity. Before the City assumes additional responsibility for operating or maintaining the property, I would want the management report to address the condition of the existing infrastructure, the cost of improvements and ongoing maintenance, the responsibilities of each partner, and the impact of any proposed agreement on City resources.
I would support a responsible and sustainable management agreement or partnership that makes better use of the property while protecting the interests of Roanoke taxpayers.
Greenway Completion and Maintenance: Would you support completing and maintaining the Roanoke River Greenway from Green Hill Park to Explore Park?
I support continuing efforts to complete the Roanoke River Greenway connection from Green Hill Park to Explore Park. Roanoke views its trails and greenways as a valued amenity. Because the greenway system crosses several localities, completing the remaining sections will require continued cooperation among Roanoke City, neighboring localities, and regional, state, and other funding partners.
The City currently maintains its greenways, including the Roanoke River, Lick Run, and Tinker Creek Greenways. As the system grows, we should have a financial plan in place to properly maintain the expanded portions within the City.
I would support continued regional efforts to pursue funding and complete the remaining connections, while ensuring that long-term maintenance is part of Roanoke's planning for that investment.
Budget Prioritization: Would you establish consistent annual funding for greenway expansion, maintenance, and improvements?
I consider our greenways and trails an important part of the City's infrastructure and believe they should continue to be included in both our annual budget and Capital Improvement Program. However, funding decisions must be considered alongside other City responsibilities, including public safety, schools, streets, stormwater, facilities, and other infrastructure needs.
I would recommend that local funding for maintaining our existing greenway system be given priority consideration. For enhancements and expansions, I would recommend our administrative team pursue state, federal and foundation grants, as well as private and corporate partnerships, to leverage City resources and reduce the burden on local taxpayers.
I support consistent funding for our greenways as part of the City's long-term planning, with the appropriate funding level determined through the annual budget and Capital Improvement Program process rather than committing to a fixed percentage or amount regardless of the City's overall financial condition.
Economic and Community Benefits: How would the economic, health, and quality-of-life benefits of outdoor infrastructure influence your investment decisions?
Roanoke's outdoor amenities contribute to recreation, community health, tourism, and economic activity, while also helping make our region attractive to residents, businesses, and people considering making Roanoke their home. The economic impact of outdoor recreation in Virginia is well documented, and those benefits should be considered when deciding how we invest public dollars. I support investment in outdoor infrastructure as part of Roanoke's economic and community development strategy. The level of local investment should consider the cost and potential community benefit, regional participation, available grant and partnership funding, and the long-term responsibility for maintaining those investments.
Community Engagement: How would you ensure meaningful public input and transparency when expanding the greenway and reopening the campground?
I believe the public voice should be part of the decision-making process, particularly when decisions involve public property and taxpayer dollars.
I would ask my fellow Council members to join me in requesting that the City Manager develop a community engagement process for the expansion of the greenway and the possible reopening of the Roanoke Mountain Campground. Residents, environmental and outdoor organizations, neighborhood groups, and other stakeholders should have opportunities to participate through public meetings, surveys, stakeholder discussions, and other forms of public input.
The public should also have access to information about proposed costs, funding sources, partnership responsibilities, and long-term maintenance needs as plans are developed.
Public involvement should help shape the process—not simply occur after a proposal has already been developed.
Regional Cooperation and Funding: Would you increase Roanoke’s recreation funding from 2% to 3% and partner regionally to improve outdoor infrastructure?
Outdoor recreation is a regional asset, and I support working with neighboring localities, state and federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private partners to identify opportunities for funding and shared investment. Grants and partnerships can help expand available resources while reducing the amount that must come solely from City taxpayers.
Regarding increasing the City's investment in recreation from 2% to 3% of the annual budget, I would want to better understand how those percentages are calculated, what programs and expenditures are included, and the financial impact an increase would have on other areas of the budget, particularly education and basic neighborhood services, before committing to a specific percentage.