POWERGRAMS

The report recommended the creation of neighborhood parks within walking distance of each house, development of athletic fi elds and beautifi ed areas, building parkways and large parks in the fl ood plains of creeks and along ridges, and preserving substantial land in Shades Valley to protect the water supply, the Birmingham Historical Society reported. Unfortunately, most of the plan was never enacted. Paul Phillips, the primary contact with the Olmsted Brothers fi rm, directed the plan's progress before he died in 1925. Into the 1930s, the city's focus and fi nances shifted toward construction of recreational facilities rather than landscaping and an interconnected park system. In recent decades, science has backed up Frederick Olmsted Jr.'s belief that greenspace could provide opportunities for mental relaxation, physical exercise and rejuvenation. In the new millennium, Jefferson County offi cials took another look at the Olmsteds' original vision for parks and greenspaces, and considered how it might inspire a revised plan that could bolster community health, revive neighborhoods and support economic development. In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded a grant to the Freshwater Land Trust (FLT), in conjunction with the Jefferson County Department of Health and the Health Action Partnership. The coalition of local organizations that are focused on improving community health began to develop a greenway master plan for Jefferson County. FLT was founded in 1996 to conserve land along central Alabama's waterways. Later their mission expanded to include connecting people to protected lands through outdoor recreation infrastructure, like trails. The "Communities Putting Prevention to Work" grant, received by FLT, focused on identifying opportunities to develop bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, promote active and healthy living, and use of alternate modes of transportation. "The Freshwater Land Trust was created to protect this region's waterways and beautiful outdoors," said Rusha Smith, executive director. "Early in our history, we discovered it is equally important to connect people to the outdoor places we are working to conserve." To fulfi ll the grant goals, FLT partnered with a planning and engineering fi rm to query city governments, businesses and community groups throughout the county for help identifying prospective trails. "We received input from over 3,000 community members during the process," said Carolyn Buck, FLT trail director. "That kind of feedback is critical when it comes to identifying trail routes and features that neighborhoods need and want." With over 1,100 square miles in Jefferson County, it was challenging to develop an interconnected greenway that includes steep hills and ridgetops, creeks and rivers. The Olmsted Brothers divided the county into seven corridors along the ridges, through valleys and along streams, which was adopted into FLT's master plan – now called the Red Rock Trail System. Most of the corridors are named after the county's natural features, such as Jones Valley, Valley Creek, Village Creek, Five Mile Creek, Shades Creek, Cahaba River and Turkey Creek. "We want every Jefferson County resident to have safe, easy access to a trail near their home," said Buck. "The Red Rock Trail System is about connecting neighborhoods to each other and connecting individuals to the outdoors." In addition to connecting neighborhoods, the trails encourage sustainable tourism and new opportunities for local businesses and communities. A 2009 24 At top, middle, Rotary Trail's path is sometimes below road level as it winds through downtown Birmingham. Below left, a visitor to the Red Mountain Trail discovers old mine entrance. Red Mountain Park trails are well-marked.

• Cover