The mayors of Birmingham, Fairfield, Irondale and Homewood gave a wholehearted endorsement today of the new Red Rock Action Plan—a pathway to build a Greater Birmingham Trail Loop within Jefferson County.

Produced and released by the Freshwater Land Trust (FLT) and funded by the Jefferson County Department of Health, the plan outlines the next phase of the Red Rock Trail System®: a 36-mile trail loop consisting of seven priority trail projects to connect the Greater Birmingham Metropolitan Area within the next fifteen years.

From Ruffner Mountain to Red Mountain Park

“I’m really excited about this plan,” Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson told the audience at the announcement.

“It was time for a refresh. There was a lot of engagement. A lot of data went into it. A lot of people at the table. One of the things our health department is especially pleased with is that health equity was a major underpinning of this plan. And that’s very important to us going forward.”

By joining Ruffner Mountain in the east through Railroad Park downtown to Red Mountain Park in the west, this loop will yield 19 new trail miles connecting the cities of Birmingham, Fairfield, Homewood and Irondale along with other cities previously included in the trail system.

Benefits will be immense

The Five Mile Creek Greenway runs from Fultondale to Gardendale. Photo courtesy of Freshwater Land Trust.

“This plan is going to greatly enhance the quality of life of all the citizens of Fairfield, the benefits will be immense.” Mayor Eddie Penny of Fairfield stated.

Penny was joined by Mayor Randall Woodfin of Birmingham, Mayor James D. Stewart of Irondale and Mayor Patrick McClusky of Homewood.

The four mayors praised the new plan but also past trail building efforts which has produced a network of 129 miles of trails and pathways throughout Jefferson County that are visited an estimated 2.5 million times a year.