Master planning continues for Oak Mountain

The possible hotel and convention center at Oak Mountain State Park are still up for consideration as the final stage of the master planning process begins. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Shelby County and the city of Pelham are currently at work on a final draft of the park’s master plan to present to the public.

Shelby County Director of Development Services Chad Scroggins said county staff members are currently pulling together data from studies of the park and a citizen survey that ended in February. They will have to catalog every amenity currently in the park, from swings to water fountains, to know what will need repairs or replacements. Community feedback will also help determine what new park amenities will be included in the plan.

“This is where the true typing and work begins,” Scroggins said, noting that much of the work will not be noticeable to the public until the final draft is presented.

As part of its ongoing efforts to stop the potential hotel and convention center, Keep Oak Mountain Wild is doing its own study of the park. Group President Rita Jablonski-Jaudon said members are studying possible safety hazards that the proposed 175-room hotel, 20,000 square feet of meeting space and 10,000-square-foot ballroom would create. She mentioned possible problems with the integrity of dams in the various lakes or the current septic system’s ability to handle such a structure.

The group is also getting more involved with the park by helping to organize 5K runs. Jablonski-Jaudon said Keep Oak Mountain Wild has been in touch with the park’s manager about organizing volunteers for park functions.

So far, there are more than 4,000 signatures on the Keep Oak Mountain Wild online petition to block the hotel and convention center, and Jablonski-Jaudon said most of those signatures are from Shelby County residents. Members of the group came out in force to express their disapproval during a March 2 public meeting with state parks division director Greg Lein of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Jablonski-Jaudon said she also hears from many residents when she wears her Keep Oak Mountain Wild shirt while running errands.

“So far the interactions I’ve received are very, very positive,” Jablonski-Jaudon said.

Scroggins said the final draft of the master plan should be presented to the public in late May.