Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve

Ruffner Mountain Park is a 1,011-acre natural park situated on Ruffner Mountain in eastern Birmingham. The park began with the Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition's acquisition of a 24-acre mountainside parcel in South East Lake in 1977. The park is the home of the Ruffner Mountain Nature Center, an educational program which makes use of the park's resources. The center also keeps specimens of numerous native animal species, most of which are injured and unsuited for return to the wild. The nature center and park entrance are at 1214 81st Street South

Between 1977 and 2000 the park expanded with parcels obtained through Forever Wild, the Trust for Public Land, and donations from United Land (a division of Walter Industries). The park's 2005 master plan calls for the acquisition of 500 more acres and the construction of a new nature center.

View of the quarry, May 2006

The park is crossed by 18 miles of hiking trails, highlighted by scenic overlooks, an abandoned limestone quarry and the surface ruins from an old iron ore mine. Frequent special events and guided hikes are scheduled year-round. The park hosts spring break and summer day camps.

Fund-raising for the realization of Ruffner Mountain Park's master plan is being coordinated as a "parknership" with the campaigns to create Red Mountain Park and the Railroad Reservation Park. Together, the three parks would give residents of Birmingham more public green space than in any other American city.

See also

• Ruffner Park in Irondale.

External link

• Ruffner Mountain website