Jones Valley Trail Extension To Join Birmingham And Avondale

BIRMINGHAM, AL — An extension of the Jones Valley Trail will connect the Avondale neighborhood with downtown Birmingham, according to an announcement from Freshwater Land Trust Tuesday.

When complete, the Jones Valley Trail will be a safe, car-free route for walkers, joggers and bicyclists to travel from Birmingham’s Parkside area — which includes Railroad Park and Regions Field — through Lakeview with its expanding housing, restaurants and clubs, and on to Avondale.

The Jones Valley Trail connects to downtown’s north and south sides, including the central business district, UAB and its medical complexes, as well as the neighborhoods of Highland Park, Forest Park, Glen Iris and Five Points South.

“The Jones Valley Trail is another great example of how trails, sidewalks and greenways can connect communities and inspire growth and economic development,” said Carolyn Buck, who directs the Red Rock Trail project for the Freshwater Land Trust.

Rusha Smith, Freshwater Land Trust executive director, said fundraising for the Jones Valley Trail extension is underway. She added that the project fits in with Birmingham’s sustainability goals, which include making the city more walkable and providing more transportation options that reduce the need to drive a car. In 2018 the city approved a new “complete streets” policy that is driving upgrades of city roadways to include sidewalks, bike lanes and other improvements. The policy is designed to encourage people to get outdoors and walk or bicycle, which provide important health benefits.

“There are so many benefits to having a true network of parks, trails and greenways in our community,” Smith said. “Extending Jones Valley Trail is another positive development in boosting quality of life for all of us who live here. But it also helps make Birmingham and Jefferson County even more attractive – for tourists, for people and businesses looking to relocate, and especially for young people and entrepreneurs who seek out communities with these amenities.”