Trailblazer Jane Reed Ross to be inducted into the prestigious Council of Fellows

If you have walked the Rotary Trail, ridden a bike down the Shades Creek Greenway or watched your child play on a swing at Homewood’s Central Park, make sure to thank Jane Reed Ross.

The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has done just that by naming Jane to its 2024 Class of the Council of Fellows, one of the highest honors the group bestows on its members.

In October she will be inducted as a fellow in Washington, D.C.

Creating Birmingham’s most iconic places

A genuine trailblazer, Reed Ross is a Senior Landscape Architect at Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC).

“Jane has profoundly impacted not only the landscape architecture profession, but the communities she serves. Almost anywhere you go in Birmingham, you’ll encounter a space she’s helped create, including the city’s most iconic places like Rotary Trail and Railroad Park. Our communities are better because of Jane’s vision, and I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.”

Jeffery Brewer, CEO, Goodwyn Mills Cawood

 Parks, trails and special places in the public space she has designed include:

• Birmingham Zoo
• Homewood’s Central Park
• Jones Valley Trail
• Rotary Trail
• Shades Creek Greenway
• Aqueduct Trail in Tarrant
• Auburn, UAB and UNA campus plans
• Lane Park in Mountain Brook
• Pepper Place in Lakeview

However, perhaps her biggest accomplishment was the development of the Red Rock Trail System Master Plan in Jefferson County — an impactful initiative that will last generations.

Bringing people together 

“Ever since I studied landscape architecture at Auburn University, I’ve been drawn to working in public spaces. I’ve had the good fortune to work on many different types of parks, trails, streetscapes and campuses over my career. I’ve experienced first-hand how important spaces like these are when it comes to building community and bringing people together. For me, it’s all about striving for the common good and improving quality of life.”

Jane Reed Ross

Reed Ross is the fourth Birmingham resident to be named to ASLA’s Council of Fellows. Past honorees include Sharon Deep Nelson, Stephen Schrader and Nimrod Long.

“I’m so excited, but not surprised, that Jane has been elevated to ASLA Fellow for her outstanding contribution to the profession. She has truly made a difference in the Birmingham area for residents and visitors. Her role in creating vibrant spaces throughout many communities has changed the face of Birmingham creating healthy spaces, improving the economy, the environment and the landscape architecture profession. 

Her legacy will live on through the projects she has worked tirelessly to see to fruition and the many lives she has touched and influenced.”

Sharon Deep Nelson

Have you walked one of the trails designed by Jane Reed Ross here in Birmingham? Tell us your favorite spot on Instagram by tagging us @bhamnow!