BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Birmingham City Council has approved $347,115 for the Village Creek Linear Walking Trail, a West Birmingham project officials say will connect neighborhoods and expand access to green space.
The trail is planned as part of the Red Rock Trail System, the broader effort to build a connected network of paths across Birmingham and the region. The Village Creek project would convert an inactive rail corridor into a multi-use trail with about 4.5 miles planned.
Councilor Sonja Smith, who represents the area, said the trail would give residents a safer way to move across the city and improve access to nature and local resources. ABC 33/40 reported that she also described it as a way to connect trails so people can travel from east to west on one path.
The funding package pulls money from several city accounts, including the Ensley/Village Creek Tuxedo Park Development Donations Fund, the Ensley/Village Creek Tuxedo Park Development account, the Bessie Estelle Park Inclusive Playground, the Village Creek Linear Park account and the Village Creek Linear Trail 84th Street North to 86th account. The ordinance supports an appropriation of $347,115.69 to PEP for the trail for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026.
The project is one segment of the larger 36-mile Red Rock loop that supporters say will eventually link communities, parks and recreation areas across Birmingham. Birmingham Watch also reported the council approved $347,115 for the 4.5-mile trail along West Birmingham’s Village Creek.