Great news, residence of Vestavia Hills, Alabama…

Your forwarded thinking City Council has committed $190,000 to build a pedestrian bridge that will connect Wald Park and the Library in the Forest. Interesting fact: Once complete, this is a step towards improving the walkability of Vestavia Hills. Walkability is one of the many factors that has given rise to Homewood’s property values, Vestavia’s oldest neighboring city. The pedestrian bridge will not only connect Wald Park to the Library in the Forest, but it will also connect the Vestavia Civic Center, Vestavia West Elementary and the residents of neighboring homes to the Library in the Forest. 

Why is it such a smart play? Studies have shown walkability raises property values in major cities to a range of $4,000 to $34,000, according one of many studies like the CEO’s for Cities study. It makes you wonder what these smart planners have up their sleeve next. It is certain, moves like this will have a lasting effect on the home values of Vestavia Hills.

The city council will be calling for bids in the next few months and if the bids aren’t significantly over budget the project should begin this spring.

If this project is completed it will allow adults, children and teens easier access to all of the programs offered by the Library in the Forest. Young people will be able to walk to study groups and participate in the free children’s and teen activities and events. In addition, the City has over 12 miles of sidewalks being added as part of continuous efforts to make Vestavia Hills a walkable community.

Vestavia is also making improvements to its parks and green spaces not only on the Highway 31 corridor but also in Patch Work Farms and Cahaba Heights.

The grass is in and the sign makes it official, Meadowlawn Park in Cahaba Heights will be ready for spring outings.  Playground equipment is being delivered this week and the City of Vestavia Hills and The Cahaba Heights Community Foundation will host an April grand opening celebration.  Cahaba Heights residents have been hoping for a neighborhood park since annexation in 2002 and now they have it along with many improvements to the preexisting Cahaba Heights Ball Fields.

Vestavia’s Parks and Recreation areas serve as a hub for family activities in the spring with the start of baseball, lacrosse, softball and soccer just around the corner. Over the last few months, the City capital investments have included, improving drainage at all parks, over seeding of all natural turf fields with rye grass to improve conditions, installation of shade structures at Wald Park and Liberty Park and Site and drainage improvements to Cahaba Heights ball fields with more to come.

Residents can enjoy the quiet of nature and hiking close to home this spring at Boulder Canyon Nature Trail and Byrd and McCollum Parks.  These quiet gems allow neighbors to experience the great outdoors in their own backyards.  These parks really add to the appeal and charm of Vestavia Hills.

The weather is perfect to get outside and enjoy all that the city has to offer.  The sidewalk projects and parks and recreation improvements are making getting outside right in your neighborhood easy and fun.

Vestavia Hills, catch Spring Fever, lace up your walking shoes and head out for an adventure in your own backyard.

Christina Lowry James is a full time, top producing REALTOR™ with REMAX SOUTHERN HOMES. For the past 10 years, she has served the greater Birmingham, Al area as a real estate agent.  Over 20 years, prior to becoming a full-time agent, she purchased, renovated, rented and sold properties of her own learning from the school of hard knocks. Drawing upon that experience and an average of over 40 successful transactions a year, she guides her clients through the buying and selling of their homes.  She has a deep understanding of what this transaction means to those she represents…a new chapter in life.

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