Updated October 2017
Our intentional leveraging of the outdoors has changed our community narrative…away from a rail town to one that places a strong emphasis on the outdoors and overall quality of life and place. It has become a differentiator for Roanoke
— Pete Eshelman, Director of Roanoke Outside
The City of Roanoke joined the HEAL Cities and Towns Campaign in September 2014. Passing a HEAL resolution is one of many ways the City is building a community where residents and visitors have access to healthy food and places to be physically active. Throughout the past few years, Roanoke has upheld the goals and commitments outlined in the resolution to provide city-wide amenities to support healthy behavior change. Commenting on the City’s commitment to supporting health and wellbeing for residents, Pete Eshelman, Director of Roanoke Outside said, “our intentional leveraging of the outdoors has changed our community narrative…away from a rail town to one that places a strong emphasis on the outdoors and overall quality of life and place. It has become a differentiator for Roanoke.”
More information on Roanoke’s HEAL Campaign can be found in the Case Study: HEAL & Economic Development in Roanoke, Virginia and Webinar: Building Healthy Economies through Healthy Communities