NEW: public trail system in the works for Chelsea

Nature fans, rejoice! A new public trail system is in the works thanks to St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church in Chelsea. Read on for details.

Trail details

If there’s one thing Birmingham-area locals love, it’s spending time in nature. Home to trail systems like the Rotary Trail and the Red Rock Trail System, there will soon be a new addition to the list in Chelsea.

Chelsea’s new nature trail will stretch from King’s Ranch Drive to St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church on King’s Home Drive.

According to ENS, the project will be completed in three phases. Phase one includes clearing land, laying asphalt for a parking lot and installing benches; Phase Two and Three will focus on trail expansion. The trail will also feature signs identifying trees and Bible verses.

So far, the project has relied on donations of labor and materials.

Behind the trail

Members of St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church have been actively volunteering their time to bring the trail to life.

On July 8, church members participated in a volunteer day to work on Phase One of a three-phase project. On this day, they cut trees and brush, delineated path borders by laying down timbers and smoothing walking surfaces, created a roadside asphalt parking lot and installed benches.

“Our hope is not only that our community enjoys the trail, but also that our story encourages others to make a positive difference where they live in and work.”

Chris Stricklin, project volunteer + member of St. Catherine’s Episcopal Church

Why Chelsea?

ENS reported the congregation was partly motivated by statistics showing that Chelsea, with a population of 16,000, does not have as many miles of walking trails as recommended for a city its size.

Attend the ribbon cutting

Excited about this new public trail system in Chelsea? You can celebrate the completion of Phase One during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, September 30 at 10AM.

For more natural trails around the Greater Birmingham Area, check these out:

• Oak Mountain State Park unveils new 2.8 mile multi-use trail
• OPEN NOW: Extension of the Five Mile Creek Greenway makes it the longest trail in the Red Rock Trail System
• 13 hiking + walking trails in Birmingham to explore

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