At todays’ meeting, members enjoyed an informative and accessible update from Justin Hammers, Preserve Manager for the City of Fairhope. Justin walked the club through the story of Flying Creek Nature Preserve, highlighting its history, current development, and long-term plans. He kept the presentation streamlined and encouraged questions, which created an engaging and collaborative session.
Honoring Fairhope’s History
Justin opened with an aerial image of the property from 1938. It showed the original alignment of Highway 98 running through what is now the preserve. That historic roadbed has been preserved as the Carriage Trail, which allows visitors to walk along an important piece of Fairhope’s early transportation history.
In 2013 the City of Fairhope purchased the 108 acre property from the Diaz family. The historic home on the site was later purchased and donated by the John Martin family. It has been converted into the John Martin Nature Center, which will serve as the educational hub for the preserve once construction is complete. Members also learned that John Martin was a charter member of the Point Clear Rotary Club and the club’s second president, which strengthens the connection between the preserve and our organization.
Long Term Vision and Phased Development
The preserve’s development has been supported by more than two million dollars in GoMESA grant funding. Much of this funding is connected to restoration efforts that followed the BP oil spill. To ensure steady progress, the City of Fairhope is completing the project in several phases.
Phase one is now open to the public. It includes three miles of trails, outdoor classrooms, a pavilion, the pedestrian tunnel, and a variety of early habitat restoration efforts. Future phases will introduce additional overlooks, expanded trail systems, improved creek access, and continued ecological enhancements. Justin shared that full development will take at least four to five more years. The city intentionally chose to open the preserve during construction so the community can watch the site evolve in real time.
Trails, Habitat, and Education
A core objective of the project is to protect the site’s natural features. This includes longleaf pine habitat, deep creek gullies, and native plant communities. The preserve contains a network of trails that range from primitive paths to gravel walkways. The Carriage Trail connects visitors from the parking area to key features such as the butterfly garden and the restrooms.
Educational elements continue to expand. The preserve includes a creekside classroom constructed from locally sourced wood that was treated using a traditional Japanese burning technique. This method seals the wood without chemicals. The team also created an Educational Tree Trail, which is a half mile loop with seventeen tree species identified for visitors. It teaches guests how different plants thrive in unique soil and elevation conditions. Justin noted that this feature has been especially popular with homeschool groups and field trips.
Forest health remains a priority. Pine beetles have impacted several areas of longleaf pine, particularly in locations disturbed by construction. The city has removed affected trees and has begun annual prescribed burns to promote long term ecological balance.
Rotary’s Butterfly Garden and Community Partnerships
Justin highlighted the Rotary sponsored butterfly garden, which has become one of the most visible features in the early phase of the preserve. The garden contains more than twenty one native plant species. The monarch caterpillars have already found the milkweed naturally, which signals a healthy and inviting habitat. The garden is now entering its winter dormancy period, but it was a vibrant and active pollinator zone throughout the growing season.
The preserve team also partnered with the Osprey Initiative on a unique recycled glass project. Crushed glass collected from Fairhope residents was incorporated into concrete pavers, seat walls, and trail structures. This innovative use of local recycled material aligns with the preserve’s commitment to sustainability.
Community Access and Future Opportunities
The pedestrian tunnel beneath Highway 98 is now open and features a custom mural by local artist Analex. It includes motion-activated lighting for safety and energy efficiency. Although only part of the preserve’s second phase is accessible at this time, the tunnel allows visitors to explore that side of the property at their own pace.
During the question and answer session, Justin shared that guided tours are available for organized groups upon request. He also confirmed that kayaking on Fly Creek remains open. However, the preserve does not yet have an official kayak launch on site. Future phases will address this need.
He also assured members that the Tolstoy House relocation is still under discussion. The current expectation is that it will be placed near the trailhead for visibility and easier access, although the final decision will rest with the engineers.
A Growing Regional Asset
The meeting closed with an expression of appreciation for Justin’s leadership and the city’s long term commitment to the project. Flying Creek Nature Preserve continues to evolve into a signature outdoor destination for the Eastern Shore. Its blend of environmental education, community partnerships, historical preservation, and innovative design represents an exciting future for Fairhope.
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