BCCNP History:
The Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve is a 422-acre property owned by the Forever Wild Land Trust in Springville, AL. Forever Wild and the State Lands Division have partnered with the City of Springville to operate the Preserve. There are approximately 7.4 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
The property, a 382-acre portion was first nominated by a non-profit, The Friends of Big Canoe Creek in 2009. Later in 2010, a 40-acre portion adjoining the 382 acres was nominated. There were many obstacles along the way, but through perseverance, the 382 acres were purchased by Forever Wild in 2018, yes 9 years later. In 2019, the 40-acre tract was added comprising the 422 acres.
This effort was largely accomplished by citizens in the Springville Community, Forever Wild, the City of Springville, and St. Clair County. It was a collaboration of unique, like-minded folks who saw the need for conservation, outdoor recreation, and outdoor education in our area.
Manager hired - 2022:
Doug Morrison was the President of The Friends of Big Canoe Creek from 2008-2020 and worked with the entities above to help make the Preserve a reality. When the City of Springville formed a Parks and Rec Board in 2018, around the time the Preserve was created, he was added to the Board to help plan the Preserve. In July of 2022, the City of Springville hired Doug to guide the planning and opening of the Preserve and manage the Preserve. Doug worked with various members of the community, Forever Wild, the City of Springville, and St. Clair County to get the Preserve open to the public. The Preserve was open to the Public on February 3, 2024.
Staff:
In November of 2023, Jake Tucker was hired as the Maintenance Technician. Jake is a “Jake of all trades”, a mechanic, and heavy equipment operator, with keen carpentry skills, and a creative mind. Jake has an infectious smile, a good soul, and is great with the public. He has quickly learned about our great biodiversity and yearns to learn more. Jake is on track to become a Certified Trail Builder by the end of 2024.
In September of 2024, Lucy Cleaver was added as an Education Coordinator. Lucy, an Auburn graduate, with a Bachelor of Science in Agriscience Education and a Master of Natural Resource Management, is a former educator and has been working in Parks and Rec as an Administrator for the last two years. Her position is currently a hybrid position, with the Parks and Recreation Department. She has many talents, will keep you in stitches, and will be working towards a Conservation Education format for the Preserve. Kids love Miss Lucy!
Notable folks in the community who stepped up with In-Kind work were Granger Waid of Norris Paving and Joey Breighner with Schoel Engineering. Granger's team worked with Schoel Engineering on the layout along with St. Clair County. Schoel Engineering developed the Map. Richie Gudzan created the logo which includes the Trispot Darter, a threatened species listed on the Endangered Species list as well as the Canoe Creek Clubshell recently listed in 2022 as Endangered. The Canoe Creek Clubshell is a mussel ONLY found in the Big Canoe Creek watershed.
Map
Bioswale
Granger Waid designed the parking areas and bioswale. Norris Paving and Schoel Engineering collaborated on the Bioswale at the upper parking area. All plants in the bioswale area are native plants.
Looking for more information about our Bioswale? Check out our YouTube video!
Bioswale Video
The Old Fireplace
Many have seen the old fireplace on the way to the Fallen Oak or Slab Creek Trails. Here is some historical information from Carol Pearson Waid:
The Pearson Property: Now part of the Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve
1837 – James Pearson received a land grant for property in Section 24, Township 14, Range 1 E.
1839 – James Pearson bought more land in Section 24.
In later years more land was acquired in Sections 24 and 25 by James Pearson and his heirs.
The property was passed down from James to his son, Harvey K. Pearson, and from Harvey K. to his son, W.R. Pearson, and from W.R. to his son, Marcus Harvey Pearson, who was my grandfather. The property was called “Hilltop” for obvious reasons!
My grandfather, Marcus Harvey Pearson, my grandmother, Opal Jones Pearson, and my father, Marcus M. Pearson (Mayor of Springville from 1960 – 1972), lived at Hilltop from 1927 to 1931. My aunt, Willie Pearl Pearson Burttram was born at Hilltop in 1928.
I thought you might be interested to know that a former mayor of Springville lived on the property when he was a child.
I’m not sure when the chimney was built but I know it is the one that was in my grandparents’ home because my uncle, Frank Pearson, told me about it before he passed. He also told me about the good water that came from the spring, which was just downhill from the house. Frank remembered when he was a boy, years after his parents had moved from Hilltop, they would still go to that Spring and get the good water and also the fruit from fruit trees that were still producing on the property.