NEW: Freshwater Land Trust receives national grant for Valley Creek Rails to Trails project

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) has awarded one of its 30 grants nationwide to the Freshwater Land Trust’s Valley Creek Rails to Trails project. 

The purpose of the Conservancy’s grant program is to help fund  projects that create equitable access to safe spaces where people can walk, bike and be active outside in the communities where they live. 

Valley Creek Rails-to-Trails project connects Red Mountain Park to Birmingham CrossPlex

In a statement to Bham Now, Freshwater Land Trust’s Executive Director Rusha Smith described the grant and its purpose.

“Freshwater Land Trust is honored to be selected as one of 30 organizations from across the country that recently received a grant for the Red Rock Trail System from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.  Specifically, this grant will be used for the 4.5-mile Valley Creek Rails-to-Trails project connecting Red Mountain Park to the Birmingham CrossPlex, by way of the high performing, 3-mile High Ore Line Greenway.  

Together with the High Ore Line, the Valley Creek Rails-to-Trails will result in 7.5-miles of off-road trails in West Jefferson County.  The Valley Creek Rails-to-Trail will also connect West Jefferson County residents to the Jefferson County Department of Health’s Western Health Clinic and the new Bus Rapid Transit station at the CrossPlex.  We hope to break ground on this amazing project next year, thanks to funders like the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.”

Valley Creek Rails to Trails project begins early 2024

Last month, FLT was joined by Congresswoman Terri Sewell, mayors from several local municipalities and a majority of the Birmingham City Council to launch the Valley Creek Rails to Trails project.

Work on the project begins in early 2024. If everything stays on schedule the project is expected to be completed in 2025.

The new trail is part of the 15 year Red Rock Action Plan.

Have you used the Red Rock Trail System? We’d love to hear your thoughts about the new Village Creek Rails to Trails project on social media. Tag us @bhamnow to let us know!