NEW: 422-acre Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve opens in Springville [PHOTOS]

Alabama has a new outdoor destination. Its name? Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve.

Last week, representatives from the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), Forever Wild Land Trust, City of Springville, St. Clair County Commission and other partner organizations celebrated the opening of the preserve in Springville, Alabama. 

How Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve was created

For a decade and a half, local citizens worked to preserve a part of the Big Canoe watershed. That became a reality when in 2018 and 2019, the Forever Wild Land Trust purchased 422-acres.

Once the land was purchased, ADCNR’s State Lands Division partnered with the City of Springville and St. Clair County to develop recreational trails on the land. As of today, 7.3 miles of  hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding trails have been developed throughout the new preserve.

“The opening of this nature preserve is a perfect example of how state and local agencies can partner with businesses and volunteers to provide important habitat for wildlife as well as provide access to quality outdoor recreation. Everyone involved in this project is looking forward to sharing it with the public.”

~ Chris Blankenship, ADCNR Commissioner and Chairman of the Forever Wild Land Trust Board of Trustees

Alabama’s natural wonders and recreational opportunities

In an interview with Bham Now, Doug Morrison, the Preserve Manager for the City of Springville and former President of the Friends of Big Canoe Creek from 2008 to 2020, described how the preserve will teach all Alabamians about the many natural wonders we have in the state. 

“We see this as a place for us to do conservation education, to teach young people about our great biodiversity in this state. For instance, we’re number four in the nation for total biodiversity and number one,for aquatic species.”

~Doug Morrison, the Preserve Manager for the City of Springville

Outdoor recreation opportunities at the Preserve include: 

• Hiking
• Mountain biking
• Horseback riding
• Birding and wildlife watching

There are also plans to expand the trails and construct pavilions to host outdoor education events. 

People are hungry for outdoor recreation

“This is the only kind of thing like this in St. Clair County right now. People are obviously hungry for outdoor recreation, and we got it here now. St. Clair County and the Springville City Council have been instrumental in helping us with our vision of this and are very supportive. People are clamoring for places to recreate outdoors.”

~Doug Morrison, the Preserve Manager for the City of Springville

Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve location & hours

The Preserve is located approximately 30 miles northeast of Birmingham at 1700 Murphrees Valley Rd., in Springville. 

Operating Days and Hours: 

Open  Wednesday through Sunday each week (closed Monday and Tuesday)

• November through February — 7:00AM to 5:00PM
• March through October— 7:00AM to 7:00PM

For more information about Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve including a trail map, visit Springville Parks and Recreation online at http://springvilleparksandrec.com/WildPreserve.aspx.