Recently, we had the Friends of Red Mountain Park out for a workday. Check out these great pictures from their visit!

Receiving the Rail Trail Champion award from Keith Laughlin, President of the Rails to Trails Conservancy

I am delighted to report that I have just returned from receiving my Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion Award from the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

The 24 other national recipients and I were awarded at Kaiser Permanente’s state-of-the-art Center for Total Health in Washington, D.C. on October 1.  We received a commemorative silver-plated railroad spike and, most importantly, a pass-through grant to the trail or trail organization of our choice.

For my organization, I chose Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails, which continues to promote, protect and enhance the trails of Anne Arundel County in Maryland, where I first took a leadership role in developing rail-trails.

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., whose mission is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.  I am thrilled that this organization has allowed myself and others to express our love for rail-trail projects while sharing our passion with other organizations who share similar goals.

With Steve Elkington, National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Office, Washington DC

Speaking of fall, it won’t be long before we can enjoy this type of scenery again:

Best wishes.

Oxmoor Cemetery was in use until 1912, and over 300 residents of Oxmoor were buried there.  It is registered on the Alabama Historic Cemetery Register, and is one of only 14 on the list in Jefferson County.

Recently, our maintenance manger, Jeff Newman, led a cleanup of the area. We are excited that this beautiful cemetery is now clear of debris and that the markers of those buried here are visible.  Here are some views of the excellent work that was done:

Day 1 of Red Mountain Park's first-ever Volunteer Vacation in March 2011.

The American Hiking Society describes Volunteer Vacations as “a week of building and maintaining trails in exciting and diverse locations across the country.”

The 2012 Volunteer Vacation at Red Mountain Park will take place sometime in March 2012.  Our staff has officially begun the application process!

According to the American Hiking Society, “The mission of the Volunteer Vacations program is to provide land managers with much needed assistance, maintaining and building hiking trails, while also providing our volunteers with a safe, organized and enjoyable vacation experience.”

For last year’s Volunteer Vacations at the park, volunteers built a trail to the highest point on the park property, leading to a breathtaking overlook of Birmingham’s downtown skyline at an elevation of 900 feet.   The project was a tremendous success.

Volunteer Vacations at Red Mountain Park are family friendly and fun so come join us in the preservation of America’s mining history through a meaningful volunteer project, and in turn, help build a beautiful trail system for future generations!  We will be sure to let you know when official registration begins.  For a better idea on the scope of last year’s project, you can view more information here.

Speaking to the excited crowd that attended Red Mountain Park’s National Trails Day last month.

I am excited to have just learned of my selection as one of 25 recipients for The  Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champions Award.  The award was established to commemorate the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s 25^th anniversary by honoring those who have helped nurture and advance the rail-trail movement through their work, volunteerism and support.  I am proud to be associated with the RTC–the Conservancy is a great nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., whose mission it is to create a nationwide network of trails from former rail lines and connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.

Thank you for voting just once for us, and for those who really want to pitch in and make a heavy difference, please vote as often as you can.  Have a great weekend from our Staff at RMP.

Special thanks to Laura Starecheski, Al Letson, & Peter Breslow.