HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — There is now a new place to hike, enjoy nature, and star gaze in Huntsville.
Huntsville leaders celebrated the grand opening of the new 58 acre Dallas W. Fanning Nature Preserve on Wednesday. The preserve is named after late Dallas W. Fanning, the former director of urban development and architect of the city's western expansion.
It has miles of trails, shade trees, benches, and a gravel parking lot, but no lighting was put in.
Mayor Tommy Battle said, "Dallas was on the forefront of everything. When we started talking about ambient light out in communities, Dallas Fanning was the one talking to us about it and the importance of making sure you kept the ambient light down so that you could look up at the stars, and he was very much a futuristic person."
The city worked to refurbish the land, create the trails, and plant 400 new trees. Steve Fowler, a landscape supervisor, helped design the trails and provided the carpentry for the benches and signage. Leaders announced one of the trails is named after Fowler.
The preserve is located at 258 Old Jim Williams Road SW, Huntsville, AL 35824.
SPREADING SMILES: