Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve: Difference between revisions
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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. | 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. | ||
A $600,000 project completed in [[2008]] added a wetlands environment to the park's educational landscapes. A series of small pools stocked with native grasses and wetlands plants are fed from an artesian well near the [[Irondale]] side of the park. Graveled paths and wood bridges form a handicapped-accessible trail around the wetland. | ==Current expansion== | ||
A $600,000 project completed in [[2008]] added a wetlands environment to the park's educational landscapes. A series of small pools stocked with native grasses and wetlands plants are fed from an artesian well near the [[Irondale]] side of the park. Graveled paths and wood bridges form a handicapped-accessible trail around the wetland. | |||
In August 2008 a $4.5 million contract was awarded to [[Stewart Perry Company]] for construction of a new visitors center and education pavilion near the [[East Lake]] end of the park. The building, designed by [[KPS Group]], is planned to meet the requirements of the U. S. Green Building Council's "LEED" certification. Stone Leaf Design of Montgomery is designing the exhibits. | |||
Other projects in the center's master plan include acquisition of up to 500 additional acres of property, creation of an off-leash dog park, and the construction of an observation tower and new entranceways. | |||
Fund-raising for the continued realization of Ruffner Mountain Park's master plan is being coordinated as a "[[Three Park Initiative|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. | Fund-raising for the continued realization of Ruffner Mountain Park's master plan is being coordinated as a "[[Three Park Initiative|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. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* Hickerson, Patrick (May 17, 2008) "Ruffner Mountain Nature Center offering sneak-peek tours of new wetlands habitat." ''Birmingham News'' | * Hickerson, Patrick (May 17, 2008) "Ruffner Mountain Nature Center offering sneak-peek tours of new wetlands habitat." ''Birmingham News'' | ||
* Cooper, Lauren B. (August 21, 2008) "Stewart Perry wins contract to build $4.5M Ruffner Mountain center." ''Birmingham Business Journal'' | |||
==External link== | ==External link== | ||
Revision as of 11:47, 21 August 2008
The Ruffner Mountain Nature Center 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 operates educational programs which makes use of the area's natural and historical 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. The center's executive director is Kathy Stiles Freeland.
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 500-600 more acres and the construction of a new nature center.
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.
Current expansion
A $600,000 project completed in 2008 added a wetlands environment to the park's educational landscapes. A series of small pools stocked with native grasses and wetlands plants are fed from an artesian well near the Irondale side of the park. Graveled paths and wood bridges form a handicapped-accessible trail around the wetland.
In August 2008 a $4.5 million contract was awarded to Stewart Perry Company for construction of a new visitors center and education pavilion near the East Lake end of the park. The building, designed by KPS Group, is planned to meet the requirements of the U. S. Green Building Council's "LEED" certification. Stone Leaf Design of Montgomery is designing the exhibits.
Other projects in the center's master plan include acquisition of up to 500 additional acres of property, creation of an off-leash dog park, and the construction of an observation tower and new entranceways.
Fund-raising for the continued 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.
References
- Hickerson, Patrick (May 17, 2008) "Ruffner Mountain Nature Center offering sneak-peek tours of new wetlands habitat." Birmingham News
- Cooper, Lauren B. (August 21, 2008) "Stewart Perry wins contract to build $4.5M Ruffner Mountain center." Birmingham Business Journal
External link
- Ruffner Mountain website