The City of Hoover has launched into the first phase of their $240,000 plan to create more parks and public spaces over the next 15 to 20 years- a move that Hoover officials hope will bring an improved quality of life and economic development to the city.

In this first phase Project Manager Mindy Wyatt will be focusing on increasing the number of blueways, greenways, and trails in Hoover according to the plan document on the city website.

Blueways and greenways are swaths of water or land, respectively, that are environmentally protected and are reserved for recreational use according to the document.

A large span of the Cahaba River that runs through Hoover is one possible blueway that Wyatt has her eyes on for the future.

“If you talk about blueways, Hoover has the longest span of the Cahaba River running right through the middle of its city limits,” said Wyatt in the plan document. “But we have largely developed with our backs to it.