Jefferson County now has a superintendent of parks who is overseeing Red Mountain Park, Ruffner Mountain and Turkey Creek Nature Preserve.

The Jefferson County Greenways Commission was established last year to oversee the three parks, which had been run by separate non-profit boards.

La Fran D. Marks has been named to the new position of Jefferson County parks superintendent, the commission said in a statement released this week.

“I am genuinely enthused about my return to Birmingham and the prospect of contributing to such a successful organization,” said Marks.

Marks, hired in April, is a retired active-duty military officer with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Miles College, a master’s degree in public administration and strategic studies from Troy University, and a master’s in strategic studies from the Army War College.

Amy Conyers joined the Greenways staff in May as deputy superintendent. She has a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University in natural resources and environmental management. Conyers worked nearly 20 years for Florida State Parks.

“I am so excited to be a new resident of Alabama,” Conyers said. “I am learning so much about the unique biodiversity, the history, and the people that make Birmingham such a special place.”

“In a first for Jefferson County, we are thrilled to have the addition of Fran and Amy, whose combined veteran leadership skills will amplify the overall park experience,” said Carlee Sanford, executive director for Jefferson County Greenways.

Ruffner Mountain was saved from development in 1977 by an upstart community nonprofit. Turkey Creek was preserved in 2008 by a grassroots effort and later operated by Birmingham Southern College. In 1999, Garden Highlands resident Ervin Batain led a community effort to clear a trail from his backyard to the abandoned No.11 Mine on Red Mountain, founding the 3D/No.11 Mining Camp and Nature Trail. In 2012, the Red Mountain Greenway and Recreational Area Commission formed.

“In every situation, citizens and community leaders saw the need for publicly accessible land,” Sanford said. “History proves our community’s desire to preserve valuable greenspaces.”

Separate organizations managing each park was inefficient and led to competition for the same donations and grants, duplication of senior staff, separate maintenance efforts, and different membership structures, she said.

In 2023, legislation expanded the scope of the Red Mountain Greenway and Recreational Area Commission into the Jefferson County Greenways Commission, supporting the day-to-day maintenance of all three greenspaces. This year, the separate nonprofits’ boards voted to join as the Jefferson County Greenways Foundation, supporting programs, conservation, and capital improvements. Together, the public-private partnership cares for the parks, plants and animals.

The inaugural Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent are expected to centralize and coordinate the maintenance and day-to-day operations of the three parks.

“Consolidating operations for the greenspaces is a foundational change that will allow for much-needed improvements to the three spaces,” said Greenways Commission member Jennifer Andress.

“Our long-term vision is to have a strong countywide structure and dedicated public funding for green spaces in Jefferson County,” Andress said. “We would like to ensure all our greenways are sustainable, high-quality, accessible, safe, clean, and thriving.”