Hueytown Celebrates Opening of New 400‑Acre Nature Preserve

Hueytown, Alabama - A new chapter in outdoor recreation opened for western Jefferson County as the City of Hueytown officially celebrated the launch of its brand‑new 400‑acre nature preserve on Saturday, June 20. Local residents, city leaders, and outdoor enthusiasts gathered for a ribbon‑cutting ceremony marking the long‑anticipated debut of one of the region's most significant new green spaces.

Located at 250 Dee Hendrix Road, the preserve offers visitors a chance to step into nature without leaving the community. The property features 6.7 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, weaving through rolling terrain, wooded ridges, and quiet natural areas that highlight the beauty of central Alabama's landscape.

Hueytown Mayor Steve Ware emphasized what this project means for the community. He noted that residents often travel 30 miles or more to reach popular outdoor destinations - but now, the opportunity to explore the outdoors is right at home. As he put it, "it's in your backyard."

The new preserve is designed to serve a wide range of visitors, from families looking for a peaceful walk to cyclists seeking new terrain. With its size, accessibility, and trail network, the space is poised to become a major recreational asset not only for Hueytown but for surrounding communities as well.

Saturday's ribbon‑cutting brought together city officials, trail users, and supporters who have watched the project take shape. The celebration marked both the completion of the preserve's first phase and the beginning of what many hope will be a long‑term investment in outdoor recreation and conservation.

As more people discover the site, the preserve is expected to boost local quality of life, encourage healthy outdoor activity, and strengthen Hueytown's identity as a community connected to nature.

For residents eager to explore, the gates are now open - and the trails are ready.