East Side Park

Nestled in the South Roebuck Neighborhood, just off of Highway 11/I-59, lies a park on  the verge of a vibrant transformation. Once a thriving gathering place and private swim club, the park became underused and overgrown as community needs changed and accessibility remained limited. 

With a renewed vision and strong community momentum, East Side Park is being reimagined as a vibrant, welcoming space for all. While nature remains out of reach for too many—especially people with disabilities—this transformation offers something powerful: a universally designed park where everyone can gather, connect, and enjoy the physical and mental benefits of the outdoors. Revitalizing this once-forgotten space honors Alabama’s standing as one of the most biodiverse states in the U.S. and invites people of all ages and abilities—seniors, children, families, veterans, neighbors, and friends—into a shared experience of nature.

‍

Nature for Everyone

Our community needs places that combine natural beauty with accessibility. Outdoor time improves people’s mental and physical health, including people with disabilities, but natural topography and design often limit outdoor communal experiences. Thanks to generous support from the American Rescue Plan Act, the City of Birmingham, and Councilor Hunter Williams, Jefferson County Greenways is leading the charge to restore East Side Park into a universally accessible nature park. Going beyond ADA requirements and offering a truly unique outdoor experience for people in our region, this pivotal project will establish a new standard for accessibility in nature. The new park will feature:

• Accessible trails that wind through native ecoregions. 
• Options for various levels of challenge.
• Universally designed bathrooms that accommodate visitors of all ages and disabilities.
• Convenient, accessible parking to ensure ease of arrival for all visitors.

With your support, we envision a park that also includes:

• Spaces for nature play.
• Immersive sensory experiences to entice a nature connection. 
• Educational interpretive experiences of nature and history.

As we reimagine East Side Park, we’re not just creating trails and play areas, we’re nurturing connections. Through ongoing programs like guided nature walks, family-friendly workshops, and volunteer garden days, we help people of all ages and disabilities build deeper, lasting connections with the outdoors and each other.