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Oak Mountain Spillway renovated
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Oak Mountain Overlook renovated
In October, Oak Mountain State Park celebrated the grand opening of its new overlook, renovated spillway bridge and improvements to the back entrance gate on John Findley Drive.
Located atop the mountain, the new Peavine Recreation Area Overlook platform is approximately one-quarter mile from the Peavine Falls parking lot.
According to Adam Sample, Oak Mountain’s acting superintendent, views from the platform are spectacular.
“This spot offers a panoramic view of Birmingham,” he said. “On a clear day, you can see from the Riverchase Galleria to Vulcan and beyond.”
A new trail has been constructed in conjunction with the overlook. The Fire Pit Trail begins near the overlook and is approximately one-half mile long. Both facilities are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and offer people with physical disabilities access to the trail and the overlook.
Prior to its renovation, the spillway bridge on John Findley Drive, which leads into the back entrance of the park was submerged under about a foot of water. The road has been elevated and leveled to better accommodate RV and pedestrian traffic to the Upper Lake section of the park, which includes the main campground.
“Both the spillway and overlook projects were accomplished in part thanks to the various partnerships that Oak Mountain has been fortunate enough to foster over the years,” said Greg Lein, director of Alabama State Parks. “Our partners are not only our visitors, but community organizations such as chambers of commerce, civic organizations, and city and county governments that make these improvements possible.”
The spillway bridge project is a partnership between Oak Mountain State Park and Shelby County. The Peavine Recreation Area Overlook and Fire Pit Trail Project is a partnership between Oak Mountain State Park, Shelby County, the Birmingham Urban Mountain Peddlers and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs through a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant from the National Park Service.
“These partners are the ones who support Alabama State Parks’ efforts to provide recreational activities for all to enjoy, and we thank them,” Lein said.
For more, visit alapark.com/oakmountain/.
– Submitted by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
