Railroad Park Foundation

Programs: Railroad park is a 19 acre green space in downtown birmingham that celebrates the industrial and artistic heritage of our great city. Situated along 1st avenue south, between 14th and 18th streets, the park is a joint effort between the city of birmingham and the railroad park foundation. Hailed as "birmingham's living room," railroad park provides a historically rich venue for local recreation, family activities, concerts, and cultural events, while connecting birmingham's downtown area with southside and uab's campus. During 2016, there were approximately 500,000 visitors to the park. Railroad park has been the catalyst for tremendous change not only in the physical landscape of birmingham, but also in the perception of what birmingham can be. In 2016, railroad park foundation continued to focus on three primary goal areas: economic development, family and community, and health and wellness. Economic development highlights:*garnered local and national press recognition by u. S. News & world report: travel as "best things to do in birmingham. "*implemented revenue-generating programs that make birmingham attractive to young professionals and families, including "barons bash presented by vulcan materials company and "protective life corporation presents trucks by the tracks. "*created "i am railroad park proud presented by pnc" monthly photo contest, which sparked civic pride while also highlightin railroad park's membership program. *partnered with local start-up smallbox, llc which converted a shipping container into a unique, semi-portable retail space which was positioned on the southwest corner of railroad park(adjacent to regions field). The local start-up "rainy day bham" sold hand-crafted gifts made by local artisans. Both smallbox and rainy day bham are graduates of the "co-starters" program, a joint initiative of create birmingham and rev birmingham. Family & community highlights:*more than 160 events were hosted at railroad park in 2016: food festivals, concerts, family reunions, birthday parties, social mixers, company promos, weddings, non-profit fundraisers, and corporate picnics. *free community events: railroad park continued partnerships with community partners to provide free programming to birmingham residents throughout the year, including:free community events - rrpf continued partnerships with community partners to provide free programming to birmingham residents throughout the year, including: -symphony in the summer, free concerts by the alabama symphony orchestra -pnc mobile learning adventure - free interactive activities for children and their families -money smart, a collaboration with bbva compass that provided free workshops on financial topics ranging from home ownership to improving credit score*implemented a new revenue-generating programs that provided meaningful and memorable experiences for individuals and families such as "publix presents family camp out night and "brrminhgam's winter wonderland" which resulted in more than 22,000 people ice skating under the birmingham skyline at railroad park. Health & wellness highlights:*conducted "get healthy on the railroad sponsored by blue cross and blue shield of alabama" - offering more than 150 free exercise classes and 5 free healthy cooking classes. "get healthy" has helped thousands of birmingham residents live a healthier life. *encouraged health and wellness activities throughout the park, including sole train decade dance party series which offered park patrons themed nights during select fridays in the summer with decade-specific dance instruction. *philanthropic gifts made possible a significant upgrade to the walking experience at railroad park in 2016. Funding from the daniel foundation of alabama enabled the addition of an advanced resin to the gravel pathways to enhance longevity and durability of the railroad park walking trails.