Grant Announced for All-Abilities Park in Clifton Forge Virginia Outdoor Foundation Get Outdoors Fund to Give $10,000   Clifton Forge, VA (January 20, 2023) —The Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission in partnership with the Town of Clifton Forge has received a $10,000 grant from the Virginia Outdoor Foundation Go Outside or GO Fund for an all-abilities park in Clifton Forge. All-abilities parks offer children opportunities to play alongside one another regardless of sensory or physical ability. Creating an atmosphere where everyone is invited to play and engage with one another fosters community. This all-abilities playground will be located at the transformed site of Linden Park in Clifton Forge. "We are thrilled to support the development of this park for people of all abilities," says VOF Executive Director Brett Glymph. "Spaces such as these are vital to strengthening communities, improving health, and connecting people to nature." This playground will provide accessibility and inclusion with safe surfacing and new, specialized equipment. The town is also currently working on creating a sensory trail from an existing public walking trail, the design will engage all seven senses. There will be play pieces for balance, movement, and sound, flowers and herbs for sight and smell, berries and fruit trees for taste and touch. The sensory trail is projected to be open to the public this Spring. “We believe that this park is an incredible opportunity for all youth in the area and look forward to the community shaping this park together,” said Courtney Howard, Chair of the Clifton Forge Parks & Trails Committee. Howard, also Project Lead, invites fellow citizens to a community meeting about the park. The meeting will be held on January 24, 2023 at 6:30 PM at the Underground Historic Masonic Theatre located at 510 Main Street Clifton Forge, VA 24422. “We especially welcome people with disabilities, their loved ones and care teams, and those from historically marginalized communities to learn about the project and provide input on park design.” Howard concluded. * * * The Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission (RVARC) is one of 21 regional planning agencies in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Member governments include the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin and Roanoke; the cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem; and the towns of Clifton Forge, Rocky Mount and Vinton. The mission of the Regional Commission is to be a leader in driving collaboration and strategy within our communities on issues that are critical to the economic growth, quality of life, and the sustainability of this region.

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