The Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham played an important role in the success of the  Three Parks Initiative, a joint campaign with Region 2020  to raise money from area philanthropic foundations and businesses for Railroad Park, Red Mountain Park and Ruffner Mountain Nature Center. These two new parks and one expanded park make Birmingham one of the nation's greenest cities and a leader in parks and open space. 

The targeted campaign began in the fall of 2006, reaching out to area businesses and philanthropic foundations.  Early in 2008, businesses and foundations had committed $15 million toward the $17.35 million goal, including a $1 million grant from the Community Foundation  These gifts combine with various federal, county and city grants to create Railroad Park as a new urban destination and Red Mountain Park as a ridgetop attraction in the Oxmoor Valley and to expand Ruffner Mountain, including a new education center and wetlands area.

"The acreage included in Railroad, Ruffner and Red Mountain parks allows our community to take a quantum leap and become a national leader in green space," said Kate Nielsen, president of the Community Foundation. "Our community’s leaders understand that parks and greenspace are vital to upgrading the quality of life in our region.”

The Community Foundation also has supported the initiative by administering the Three Parks Fund, including the collection of multi-year pledges from businesses and foundations and distribution to the parks. Representatives of the parks can draw down funds as needed for projects that are part of the plan. A community panel serves in an advisory role until the fund has received and paid out all contributions and any accumulated interest.

"The Three Parks Fund is open to additional gifts, but we are no longer soliciting dollars on behalf of the three parks," Nielsen said.  "As a Community Foundation, we serve an important role as a catalyst for transformational opportunities like this. Now is the opportunity for the parks to develop and build on their own base of donors, and for individual givers across the community to be part of this transformation."

For more information or to support any of the three parks:
Railroad Park: An urban park in the heart of the region
FIND OUT MORE AT: http://www.railroadpark.org/ OR CALL: 205-226-5212
MAIL YOUR CHECK TO: 505 20th St. No., Suite 500 Birmingham AL 35203

Red Mountain Park: A ridgetop park offering recreational opportunities
FIND OUT MORE AT: www.redmountainpark.org OR CALL: 205-222-1230
MAIL YOUR CHECK TO: P.O. Box 11252 Birmingham AL 35202

Ruffner Mountain Nature Center: A nature preserve focused on environmental education
FIND OUT MORE AT: http://www.ruffnermountain.org/ OR CALL: 205-833-8264
MAIL YOUR CHECK TO: 1214 81^st Street South Birmingham AL 35206