The elementary schools, particularly, provide definition and identity to their surrounding neighborhoods. Several large tracts of protected open space exist in the Midtown Crescent. Adjacent to this property is the Town-owned nine hole golf course and swimming pool. The current trail is about a mile long but is being extended south toward the intersection of Hightop and Merrimac Roads, and by fall of 1996 will be a total of 3.5 miles long. Phase II of the Huckleberry extension will take the trail toward the New River Mall over the next two to four years, for an additional 2.5 miles.
People feel safe, both from crime and from traffic accidents.
Much of this is a perception of safety, that children can play outside on their neighborhood streets without much fear of traffic, but crime rates are indeed low in Blacksburg compared to many other localities. Please see the Public Safety chapter for more details.