Photo by Kamp Fender
About 6 miles of scenic John Findlay Road will be paved from its western entrance to the North Trailhead, and bike lanes will be added on either side. John Findlay Road connects Cahaba Valley Road and Shelby County 35 through the heart of Oak Mountain State Park.
The second of three paving and bike lane projects for Oak Mountain State Park is expected to start in February 2019.
This $5.1 million project will pave about 6 miles of John Findlay Road from its western entrance to the North Trailhead and add bike lanes on either side. Shelby County Manager Alex Dudchock said the project, funded with the help of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, will have 200 working days to complete it once the work begins early this year.
A water pipeline under the road will also be relocated during the project.
The first phase, from the North Trailhead to the east gate of the park, has already been completed. Dudchock said the third phase will continue from OMSP’s west entrance to the intersection with State Park Road, which will be turned into a roundabout, and then follow State Park Road to Alabama 119.
The third phase is in the design and right-of-way access acquisition process now, Dudchock said, and he expects the bidding to be set near the end of the 2019 fiscal year.
While the road is the largest project OMSP visitors will see in 2019, the park also recently finished two basketball courts and two pickleball courts, partly with help from Shelby County. Dudchock said 2019 will see a new restroom structure, near the boat launch at the upper lake, and a refurbished restroom at the Lake Trailhead.
There are plans for a new pavilion, as well, but Dudchock said its location has not been selected yet.
Dudchock said the plans for a nature trail between Inverness Nature Park and existing sidewalks on Valleydale Road could be in the cards for 2019, too. The county and the city of Hoover are working together on the project, which is currently on hold while Hoover seeks the last piece of right-of-way access to construct the trail.
An unpaved nature path in Dunnavant Valley, connecting County Road 41 to Mt Laurel, is still in the “hypothetical” phase, as the county must work with business and property owners in the area to be granted access to the land.
Dudchock said the county is also working with the city of Hoover to pay for a new inclusive playground being built at the Hoover Metropolitan Complex.
The $2 million project includes a 15,000-square-foot playground and 7,000-square-foot splash pad that will have a universal design, meaning they will be designed to meet the needs of all people, including those with disabilities and mobility issues.
At the groundbreaking for the inclusive playground in September, Hoover officials said the goal was to have the playground and splash pad completed by December or January, when the rest of the Hoover Metropolitan Complex is completed.
New restroom facilities at Veterans Park and Chelsea Middle School were recently completed and offer additional convenience for visitors, as well as the possibility to hold tournaments at Chelsea Middle.
Dudchock said the county government is working on a number of park projects throughout Shelby County. This includes an athletic field and track complex in Calera’s Eagle Park, which would offer a new, well-lit field for soccer and lacrosse. Alabaster and Montevallo will also see work in their parks in 2019, including a pedestrian bridge, pavilion and restroom at Shoal Creek Park.
This story is part of our Year in Preview. See more here.
