With the rushing waters of Valley Creek behind her, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell on Monday appeared with Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin and other city officials to present a check for $4 million in federal funding for the Valley Creek Rails to Trails project.

It’s a 4.57-mile trail that will connect the Birmingham CrossPlex with Red Mountain Park.

Her office had announced the funding Dec. 23, 2022, as part of $42.8 million that Sewell helped secure for projects in Alabama.

“This is a good example of public-private partnership, working on behalf of the people,” Sewell said of the collaborative effort with Freshwater Land Trust, which is working to create the 36-mile Red Rock Trail System, a loop providing bikers and hikers a path from Ruffner Mountain Park in East Lake to Railroad Park downtown to Red Mountain Park in west Birmingham.

“What I think is so important about the entire trail system is that it truly creates a connection of communities,” said Rusha Smith, president of the Freshwater Land Trust.

Smith said construction on the paved Valley Creek Trail will begin next year and by 2025 should connect from Valley Creek, behind the Birmingham CrossPlex, all they way to Red Mountain Park.

“This funding will uplift underserved areas and foster economic development across our district,” Sewell said.