Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve
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 Robbie Fearn.
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.
Recent 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 March 2010 a 6000-square foot "Tree Top Nature Center" was constructed near the East Lake end of the park. The $4.5 million project was designed by KPS Group and built by the Stewart Perry Company. The building was planned to meet the requirements of the U. S. Green Building Council's "LEED" certification. The structure incorporates recycled materials and computer-controlled lighting. It is raised on stilts and catches rainwater from its roof for re-use. Stone Leaf Design of Montgomery planned the center's 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.
Trails
- Marian Harnach Nature Trail (0.7 mile loop): provides a gentle trail below the visitor's center with interpretive signage
- Geology Trail (0.5 mile loop): runs slightly uphill of the nature trail with a resting stop at Turtle Rock
- Quarry Trail (1.2 miles): leads from the visitor's center to the limestone quarry at the southern edge of the park
- Trillium Trail (0.5 mile loop): provides views of numerous wildflower stands above the parking area
- Hollow Tree Trail (0.4 mile): a moderate grade up the slope from the quarry trail, leading to the Buckeye Trail
- Buckeye Trail (0.7 mile): a steeper trail over the ridge from the high point of the Hollow Tree Trail toward Irondale
- Wetland Trail/Little Sandstone Ridge Trail (0.1 mile): extends from the terminus of the Buckeye Trail to the wetland
- Ridge & Valley Trail (1.4 miles): from the far end of the Buckeye Trail, where it rejoins the Quarry Trail, crossing several small creeks and traversing 1,020 feet of elevation change
- Silent Journey Trail (0.3 mile): A fork of the Quarry Trail, rejoining it at its terminus
- Hawk's View Overlook Trail (0.3 mile): From the terminus of the Quarry Trail to an overlook of downtown Birmingham
- Five Mile Trail: Extends from the Quarry Trail terminus around the southern end of the park and back to the Hawk's View Overlook Trail (includes a bypass route)
- Service Path (0.7 mile): a graded connection between the wetland and the Ruffner Road parking area
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
- Bouma, Katherine (August 21, 2008) "Ruffner Mountain Nature Center in Birmingham soon will be opening a new visitor center." Birmingham News
- Spencer, Thomas (March 1, 2010) "Ruffner nature center unveils treetop view." Birmingham News
External links
- Ruffner Mountain website
- Master Plan for Ruffner Mountain Nature Center (March 17, 2005) by KPS Group, Inc.