RMP Begins 2012 With a Bang!

2012 is set to be the biggest year in our short but sweet history at Red Mountain Park.

Soon we’ll open 10+ miles of trails to the public for hiking, trail running, and mountain biking. We got a jump on 2012 with the hugely successful New Year’s Eve Resolution Run, held at the park on Dec. 31.

Over 300 runners of all ages came out to enjoy three course options (3, 5, or 10 miles) on our trail system. It was great to see so many faces out at the park. We’re looking forward to hosting more events and races at RMP in 2012 and beyond!

Special thanks to Valerie McLean and the Trak Shak for handling all the event logistics (and for the surprise sponsorship!), and to the Birmingham Track Club for making it their year-end event.

To see video and an article about the run from the Birmingham News, click here. Thanks to everyone who came out to ring in the New Year at RMP ... we hope to see you again soon!

Some of our favorite comments from runners who were quoted in the article:

“It’s gorgeous, steep, interesting” – Lekki Frazier-Wood
“It’s very convenient … It gives people choices and variety” – Bruce Sladick
“You don’t find something like this in a metro area very often … It’s a great place” – Jeff Black

Preview Hike on Sunday … See It For Yourself

If walking is more your speed, or if you’d like to scout the trails and learn a little history, come join us at an upcoming preview hike. We have a hike this weekend on Sunday afternoon at 2pm. It’s free and family-friendly. The weather should be cool and clear, so it’s a perfect time to get some fresh air at Red Mountain Park. For directions and details, please click here

Update on Trail System Opening

Park staff and volunteers with the Friends of Red Mountain Park and the Boy Scouts have been working tirelessly throughout 2011 to get the park ready for your enjoyment. The Resolution Run and preview hikes are just a taste of what’s to come. We are currently installing trail signs throughout the 10+ mile trail system and expect to have them in place by the end of the month. Once the signs are in place, we will “quietly” look forward to seeing more of you out there at your leisure. Additional near-term improvements are in the works, and we’re planning a public ribbom cutting in the spring!

Once the existing trail system is open to the public, you will see ongoing improvements throughout the park over the course of several years. Longer term development plans call for doubling the trail system, adding amazing guest amenities, and tying the park into a larger regional greenway system. These trails are just the first phase of life at Red Mountain Park, so we hope you’ll enjoy yourself and join us in excitement about the big picture!
Upcoming Events

2/4 – Friends’ Trail Workday
9am, Red Mountain Park

2/19 – Preview Hike
2pm, Red Mountain Park

Our mailing address is:
Friends of Red Mountain Park
277 Lyon Lane
Birmingham, AL 35211