Overlook and Zoo
Directly in front of the star is an overlook that features dramatic views of the Roanoke Valley and, particularly, downtown Roanoke. The overlook is a well known place to photograph Roanoke. It is also a site where area residents take visiting friends and relatives.
A small zoo was built near the star on the summit of Mill Mountain. Mill Mountain Zoo was originally designated as strictly a children's zoo, but the number of exhibits and variety of animals has expanded. The star, overlook, and zoo are accessible both from Roanoke and from a spur of the Blue Ridge Parkway at Roanoke Mountain.
From 1910 to 1929, an inclined railway ran from near the current location of Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital to the mountain's summit. The path of the incline is still visible today. The primary destination was an inn. A group dedicated to making Roanoke an attractive community for 40 year olds has proposed rebuilding the inn. David Bowers, now mayor, stated opposition to the park building proposal in his campaign, as did the Roanoke chapter of the Sierra Club and the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation.
The star and the park around it are popular picnic spots by day. They are also popular hangouts at night. City police regularly patrol the area to discourage underage drinking and enforce Roanoke's curfew for minors.
Mill Mountain's summit is 1,740 feet above sea level.
Read more about this topic: Roanoke Star
Famous quotes containing the words overlook and/or zoo:
“You must not feel too anxious about the little folks with you.... Their little peculiarities, which with your older judgment do not seem favorable, will gradually disappear as they get older. It is best to overlook most things, and not be too solicitous about perfection. I am afraid you will think I will spoil our children by too little government. Perhaps we do err on the other side, but you must come down and instruct us.”
—Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1822–1893)
“...there was the annual Fourth of July picketing at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. ...I thought it was ridiculous to have to go there in a skirt. But I did it anyway because it was something that might possibly have an effect. I remember walking around in my little white blouse and skirt and tourists standing there eating their ice cream cones and watching us like the zoo had opened.”
—Martha Shelley, U.S. author and social activist. As quoted in Making History, part 3, by Eric Marcus (1992)