RCB Commemorates 10 Years of Rotary Trail on Red Rock Tuesday

Past Presidents Hatton Smith and Bill Jones with Rotarian Jeanne Jackson and Jeh Jeh Pruitt on Rotary Trail

Rotarians Dr. Mark Wilson, Libby Lassiter, Dawn Bulgarella and Jane Reed Ross with Jeh Jeh Pruitt on Rotary Trail

In commemoration of the Rotary Club of Birmingham’s 110th anniversary and ten years since the club committed to developing Rotary Trail as its centennial gift to the City of Birmingham, several Rotarians joined Jeh Jeh Pruitt on WBRC FOX 6's Good Day Alabama for Red Rock Tuesday segments on the trail.

Rotarian Jeanne Jackson, Freshwater Land Trust Board of Directors Chair, explained the Red Rock Trail System is a master plan for trails, parks, bike lanes, and sidewalks with a goal of connecting every resident in Jefferson County to a greenspace within one mile of their home. Past President Bill Jones, who chaired the project, shared the club’s search for a project that would benefit the city’s future and continue to create an impact over time. He described the challenging nature of the project that required extensive planning, engineering, and financing. Past President Hatton Smith, who led the fundraising effort, described the success enabled by over 500 individual donors, companies and foundations that contributed the 3.5 million dollars needed to complete the trail. 

Rotarian Libby Lassiter, who is overseeing the restoration of the 110-year-old Hardwick building as Tessa Commercial Real Estate Principal, said Rotary Trail has been pivotal to the development of the area. Rotarian Dawn Bulgarella, who lives on the trail, said she enjoys being able to walk to work at UAB and to Pepper Place on Saturdays, and take her dog for a walk on the trail anytime

Rotarian Jane Reed Ross, who served as lead landscape architect for the project, described the challenge of creating an engaging linear, below-grade, four-block park. She discussed the Rotary Trail sign that has become a recognizable landmark, taking a cue from the historic Birmingham train terminal sign, and the artistic elements incorporated throughout the trail. Jefferson County Health Officer Dr. Mark Wilson explained that parks and greenspaces offer a fantastic outlet for physical exercise, provide a significant boost to mental and emotional wellbeing. and make neighborhoods safer and more cohesive. Rotarian Mary Boehm, who serves on the Birmingham City Schools Board of Education, shared Pepper Place will host “Celebrate Trails Day” on Saturday, April 22nd from 8 a.m. to noon. The annual celebration encourages people across the country to get outside and enjoy the nation’s trails. 

Please click here or on the image below to view the segments.

Click here to learn more about Rotary Trail.