We hope you’ve heard whispers about the restoration of East Side Park, located at the end of Dogwood Drive in the South Roebuck Neighborhood.

East Side Park was once a private swim club. Over time, the neighborhood park evolved to include additional recreational elements such as a ballfield and tennis courts. Many neighbors and residents worked to care for it, but eventually, the park closed and the once active space became vacant and overgrown with invasive plants.

What is the Foundation doing?

Eventually, Ruffner Mountain Nature Coalition acquired the land. The Coalition began a years-long process to discern how the land could most positively impact the community. We also worked to determine how we could ensure the park would be cared for in the long-term.

For years, we have received calls from people looking for a place that reflects Alabama's natural habitat, that also accommodates a physical need for themselves or someone they care about. Located in Roebuck-Springs & South Roebuck, & close to Ruffner Mountain trails, a new dream is emerging for East Side Park as a universally accessible gateway to nature. A renewed park that centers accessibility to nature for all. Our community deserves more places where people of all abilities can enjoy the native habitat of Alabama. With major support from the American Rescue Plan Act and the City of Birmingham, the Coalition seeks support to build an ADA-accessible nature preserve in the defunct park.

With major support from Councilor Hunter Williams, the American Rescue Plan Act and the City of Birmingham, we secured substantial initial investment to build an ADA-accessible nature preserve in the defunct park. This greenspace will have the trails, bathrooms, and parking necessary to accommodate visitors of all ages and abilities.

Ruffner Mountain, Red Mountain Park, and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve united at Jefferson County Greenways. Our new structure makes us stronger and enables us to better maintain and care for public land. This means that once restored, East Side Park will have the maintenance and operational support needed to care for it.

What’s happening now?

We’re in the design and support-raising phase for the park. We know that our community seeks a place they can visit with a stroller or a wheelchair, & where people of all abilities can enjoy a place that feels a little bit wild. We want to do more than the minimum requirements, and we need your help.

We want to work with you to transform the park into a vibrant greenspace for all, one that positively impacts health, mental focus, and community connection. At the former East Side Park, we will build a park that centers access to nature for all. A universally-accessible nature space, designed with everyone in mind. A place where seniors, children, and families can be together to enjoy the mental and physical benefits nature provides us.

How can I help?

Fill out our survey

Tell us why this park would be important to you, and how you will use the park.

Share a funding opportunity

Is there a grant opportunity we should know about, or a funder you can connect us with? Email samantha@jeffcogreenways.org.

Make a Donation

Help us reach our goal! East Side Park will have universally accessible trails and bathrooms, but with your help, it can be so much more. We want to include space for nature play and more.

The newsletter will keep you informed on updates about the park and opportunities for support.

Volunteer

Volunteers provide essential support at clean-up days, site work days, and fundraising events!

Pull, don’t plant, invasive plants

Pull, don’t plant, invasive plants. Part of East Side Park’s revitalization will include removal of invasive plants infesting the park. If you live around the park (or anywhere!) you can help by pulling invasive plants from your yard and planting native plants.

Our Partners

City of Birmingham

Philip A. Morris Fund for the Design Arts

Cawaco

Roebuck Springs/South Roebuck Neighborhood Association