Richly deserved recognition for two of Alabama’s premier trail systems! The American Society of Landscape Architects Alabama Chapter acknowledged two planning projects that are informing trail improvements in Alabama. The Alabama Pinhoti Trail Built Environment Master Plan was awarded a top Honor Award for Analysis & Planning, and the Red Rock Trail System was awarded an Excellence Award.
Above right: Jay Pigford, Architecture Works, studying the potential of the Flagg Tower room.
The Pinhoti Master plan was released in the summer of 2019 providing an intensive inventory and analysis of the 170-mile Alabama portion of the Trail. Led by the Alabama Trails Foundation with the professional expertise of Birmingham based Architecture Works LLP as the lead consultant and Macknally Land Design as the landscape architecture firm, the Alabama Pinhoti Trail Built Environment Master Plan provides a platform for collaboration to implement trail improvements and resolve diverse perspectives. The Pinhoti Master Plan continues to evolve as a planning document as communities, agencies, and volunteers come together to engage in implementation of Trail improvements.
Jeanne Jackson, Past President of the Alabama Trails Foundation and Board President, Freshwater Land Trust had this to say:
“I am honored to be part of two award-winning trail projects in Alabama. As the past president of the Alabama Trails Foundation, I’m thrilled that the 2019 Pinhoti Master Plan continues to guide tangible and dynamic improvements on the Pinhoti Trail. To see that the Pinhoti Master Plan received national recognition is gratifying. The Red Rock Trail System Action Plan presents the distinct vision for the Freshwater Land Trust to create a 36-mile trail loop trail in downtown Birmingham from Red Mountain Park to Ruffner Mountain, connecting local communities. These two noteworthy trail plans, developed with extensive public involvement and an understanding of on-the-ground realities, fuel inspiring trail expansion across rural and urban Alabama.”
From the judges:
The Alabama Pinhoti Trail Master Plan is exceptionally well-organized, with clear sections dedicated to existing conditions, planning guides, proposed enhancements, and crucial resources. This breakdown facilitates updates and ensures accessibility in both print and digital formats. Notably, the plan goes beyond mere analysis by incorporating stakeholder engagement through surveys, workshops, and participation in trail maintenance.
This comprehensive approach ensures the final product reflects user needs and considers economic development opportunities for nearby communities. The impact is undeniable, with the master plan guiding current enhancements and securing partnerships for projects like the CCC fire tower restoration and the Jogloma Lake realignment. Overall, this submission exemplifies information synthesis at its finest, earning its well-deserved honor.
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is the professional association for landscape architects in the United States, representing more than 15,000 members. ASLA’s mission is to empower its members to design a sustainable and equitable world through landscape architecture.