History of the Boulder Canyon Nature Trail System

The Boulder Canyon Nature Trails were built on city property. The property was given to the city of Vestavia Hills by the Pizitz family to be used as a bird sanctuary. The property was dedicated as a natural park in 2003. Boy Scouts, Rotary and Keep Vestavia Green built or contributed to the construction of the trails. Boulder Canyon is a priceless, unique gift. In thanks and appreciation, it should be protected from development.

 

1989      A 5^th grade student, Barney Wilburn, built the first trail on school property. He thought Vestavia Hills Central School needed a Nature Trail and an outdoor classroom. With the help of his father, the Rotary and the School Board, a bridge, trail and outdoor classroom were built. This trail has a beautiful waterfall, which unfortunately is now silted over with red clay from runoff.

 

1993      KVG was formed to protect and preserve green areas.

 

1994      Chris Thomas as his Eagle Scout Project built the second trail on city property. This was a very difficult trail to build but is one of the prettiest areas in the system. Huge boulders in the creek resemble streams in the Smokey Mountains and it is right in the middle of Vestavia Hills. Vestavia Hills Rotary helped with this trail.

 

1995      Chuck Thomas, Chris’s brother, as his Eagle Scout project added on to Chris’s trail. They built an entrance on Merry Fox Lane and added benches. Vestavia Hills Rotary also helped with this trail.

 

2001      KVG revitalized becomes 501-C-3 non-profit organization.

 

2003      The Pizitz family left 13 acres to Vestavia to remain natural as a bird sanctuary in 1962. After a 10-year moratorium on this land Keep Vestavia Green urged Mayor Scotty McCallum and the City Council to dedicate this property as a Natural Park. This was done October 2003.

 

2004      Michael Patterson Troop 4 as his Eagle Scout Project extended the Thomas trails on down to the creek and built a bench by the creek. Keep Vestavia Green sponsored this trail.

 

2005      Rob McColl Troop 4 as his Eagle Scout Project extended Michael Patterson’s trail on out to Round Hill Road. A bench was installed. Keep Vestavia Green also sponsored this trail. Mayor Scotty McCallum had a survey done on the Round Hill Road entrance and had gravel put down for a parking area. Keep Vestavia Green installed a sign at the trailhead on Round Hill Road and updated the sign at the Merry Fox Lane trailhead. Park and Recreation Director Brian Davis had signs installed on Highway 31 and at the parking area on Round Hill Road.

 

2006      Patrick Strozier Troop 4 built a bridge over the creek to connect the last two trails. Luke Eden & Andrew Darwin Troop 96 improved the last 2 trails. Mark Redwine Troop 1 built a new trail connecting city trails with school trails. Boulder Canyon Nature Trail was named by Portico Magazine as one of the top ten best trails in the Birmingham area.