Petition for wheel chair access at Peavine Overlook

    At the Shelby County Services Building this evening, a plan was presented to create facilities for wheelchair visitors to Oak Mountain State Park. An over look would be prepared near the intersection of the Red Road and Peavine Falls Road with a mixed use parking area along with a short trail passing 1930s fire pit construction. Possible camping facilities are a possibility, but without water it is problematic.

The parking area would be gravel, but it was pointed out that gravel would be unsuitable for wheelchairs.  Other parks have paved paths, recycled shredded tires, boardwalks, but not gravel.  We were assured that no trees or rocks will be damaged, but things happen. 

It was pointed out that this area had been closed to campfires because of the risk of blowing embers and maintenance.  It was decided that no fires would be permitted in the old fire pits.

There was no presentation of a design of the parking area or the overlook.  A personal preference was a boardwalk as developed in Cheaha State Park at Bald Rock.  This meeting was required to meet pre-application regulations.  If chosen by ADECA in the first cut of applications, the county and BUMP can then submit a final application. At that time a meeting will be held on location to map out the size and placement of features. It is important for people who have knowledge of the park to be on hand to point out problems.  More information will be posted here at a later date.