A greener future

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Parks and Recreation Foundation Executive Director Leigh Belcher lit up as she looked across the 40-acre stretch of land designated for the future Sicard Hollow community park.

Dirt mounds and bulldozers sprawled across the former coal-mining site, but Belcher envisioned a green space bringing an entire community together.

“This allows us to use unusable space,” Belcher said. “There is really nothing like it anywhere in the area. It’s going to be a great thing for Vestavia.”

From a dog park to fitness trails, the Parks and Recreation Foundation, along with the City of Vestavia Hills and the Parks and Recreation Board, has recently introduced a three-part plan, the Partners in Healthy Living campaign. The goal of the campaign is to make use of the city’s green spaces while offering varying degrees of fitness options to residents. 

Over the next two years, development will occur at Sicard Hollow athletic fields and McCallum Park. Additionally, Sicard Hollow community park will be constructed beside the current athletic complex.

“We want to be able to offer recreational opportunities to people of all ages,” Belcher said. 

Part one involves further developing the Sicard Hollow athletic complex on Sicard Hollow Road, which was built in 2011. The complex consists of a concession stand, bleachers and four full-size fields made of synthetic turf that host football, soccer, lacrosse and other events. Belcher said the foundation is in the process of getting each of the fields named by a donor. Further development includes the construction of additional parking spaces. 

Former mayor Charles “Scotty” A. McCallum has always envisioned this site producing great things for the community.

“The fields project has been a top community priority for years and I’m so glad to see it nearly complete,” McCallum said.

Located directly beside the athletic complex is a former coal mining site and the home of the future Sicard Hollow community park. The park will include an amphitheater for concerts, and 1.5 miles of a crushed stone fitness trail will offer residents various workout stations. Pets will be free to roam in a fenced-in dog park. Children will be able to enjoy a playground and a splash park. Additional amenities include a disc golf course and a large picnic pavilion.

 With oversight of the federal government, the state is currently in the process of restoring the mining land for a cost totaling $750,000. 

Belcher said Liberty Park residents will be able to benefit from the proximity near the Sicard Hollow development.

“Liberty Park has been a great partner in all of this,” Belcher said. “I think they will enjoy having something so close to them.”

The final development phase of the campaign focuses on McCallum Park, which was named after McCallum. The development plan includes the creation of two bridges across Little Shades Creek and a greenway that will provide a three-mile loop, ideal for residents to use to walk or run. Belcher hopes that high school students will be able to walk from the school through the surrounding neighborhoods. She said that high school athletes could benefit form the greenway as well.

“Particularly for those who enjoy running and walking and live in the vicinity of the high school and Rocky Ridge Road, this is a very exciting project,” said City Council President Steve Ammons.

The total cost for the three-part project is approximately $7.6 million. The city has donated more than half this amount, and the community needs to raise approximately $2.5 million. Belcher said the mine reclamation is expected to be complete by the end of 2014 and all developments should be complete by the end of 2015.

“We really want to create awareness,” Belcher said. “This is something the city truly needs.”

For more information or to find out how to get involved, please contact Belcher at 527-8788 or visit vhprf.org.