East Side Park News

In November of 2024, Jefferson County Greenways staff gathered with a dads’ group from United Ability to share about our plans to redevelop East Side Park into a universally accessible nature space. We were there to gather feedback from these parents, whose children’s level of disability ranged from mild — meaning their child had a strong degree of independence — to severe, where the child needs life-long care and whose disability impacts every aspect of their ability to participate in the world.

In anticipation of a request for sealed bids for East Side Park in Birmingham, Alabama as described below, Jefferson County Greenways (Owner) wishes to identify and prequalify in advance bidders consistent with Title 39, Code of Alabama 1997. Only prequalified Trade Contractors will be allowed to submit a bid on this project.

It’s beautiful outside, and you say to yourself, “It’s a perfect day to go for a hike.” You think nothing of hopping in the car to drive to your favorite green space to get on a trail. Soon, you are immersed in trees, hearing birdsong, feeling the breeze on your skin, smelling the sweet, damp smells of the earth beneath your feet.

On August 21, 2025, first-year students from the UAB Honors College rolled up their sleeves to help transform East Side Park into a universally designed nature sanctuary for the Birmingham community and the surrounding region. The students worked alongside Jefferson County Greenways (JCG) staff and volunteers to salvage native plants from Red Mountain Park’s improvement zone to give them a second life at East Side Park.

We’re proud to share that the design for East Side Park has received the Award of Excellence from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Central States. This was the highest honor presented at this year’s awards ceremony.