
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 21, 1995                   TAG: 9504210114
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SARAH HUNTLEY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

JOIN THE FUN AT GARST MILL PARK FETE

Roanoke County is planning fun and fanfare Saturday to celebrate recent improvements to Garst Mill Park. A one-hour ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. and include refreshments and entertainment from the American Red Cross Youth Clown Corps.

A $17 million 1992 bond referendum included $1.75 million for improvements to various county park facilities. More than $35,000 was used for renovations to Garst Mill Park, the highlight of which is a new playground area.

In addition, a bridge over the park's creek was built to comply with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act, the tennis courts were renovated and the bathrooms were updated through an Eagle Scout project. The county also intends to develop a walking trail or greenway through the park.

Garst Mill Park was severely damaged during the 1985 flood and is one of the most heavily used in Roanoke County. The remaining parks funding is being used to improve other facilities which the county says will be done over the next two months.

The celebration will take place in the park, off Garst Mill Road on Halevan Road.

by CNB