The Vestavia Parks and Recreational Foundation is a 501(c)(3) which raises private capital for investment in our community’s park and recreational needs. We partner with organizations such as the Vestavia Hills Park and Recreation Board, the City, and the citizens of Vestavia Hills with a goal of providing our community with exceptional and exciting, state-of-the-art parks and recreational areas. Our projects are driven by the needs and suggestions from our valued partners.
The Foundation is managed by a voting Board of Directors from within the City of Vestavia. Non-voting members include the City Manager, a liaison from the City Council, the city’s Park and Recreation Director, and a member of the Park and Recreation Board. We believe this provides a solid representation of the desires and needs of our community and provides a sound body for accountability and oversight.
The Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation exists in order to strengthen our local community through investments in parks and recreation activities for people of all ages. With approximately 6,000 youth participating in Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation programs, there is a definite need for facilities of which we can be proud. To that end our Mayor, the City Council and the Parks and Recreation Board have committed to expanding and improving our facilities in community-changing ways and the Foundation is honored to assist in this endeavor.
Veterans Memorial Capital Campaign
For our beloved veterans, what better way is there to honor and memorialize their courage and sacrifice than a permanent Veterans Memorial? There are many ways you can memorialize and honor those who sacrifice for our freedom – corporate sponsorship, buy-a-brick campaign or monetary donation. Click the button below to participate or contact Katherine Gorham or Leigh Belcher at vhprfinfo@gmail.com.
Where Will the Memorial Be Located?
The Vestavia Hills Veterans Memorial will be located near the new parking area at Altadena Valley Park. The memorial is intended to serve as a monument to honor veterans, as well as an educational opportunity for students. Therefore, it will be strategically located so that it is easily accessible for student field trips, as well as the general public.
How Can I Participate?
VHPRF is proud to strengthen our local community through investments in parks and recreation activities for people of all ages. In support of this wonderful amenity to our community, we have launched a capital campaign so that all may have an opportunity to contribute.
Options for Giving
Medal of Honor: $25,000 – Naming rights to the Veterans Memorial Plaza
Silver Star: $15,000 – Naming rights to the Veterans Memorial Monument
Bronze Star: $10,000 – Naming rights to the Veterans Memorial Gallery of Service Flags
Purple Heart: $5,000 – Naming rights to one of the three Veterans Memorial Benches
Engraved Brick Dedication:
– 4 x 8 brick – $150 (3 lines, 18 characters per line)
– 8 x 8 brick – $250 (6 lines, 18 characters per line)
Project Renderings
Click to view:
Interior view with seating
Interior view out to park
Supporting Vestavia Hills
The Foundation has a rich history of investing in our community to promote our mission; all done hand-in-hand with partner investors like you:
Spring 2002: Wald Park Playground
August 2002: Purchase property for McCallum Park – $147,000
Fall 2002: Byrd Park Playground
July 2003: Drainage project at the Liberty Park fields – $300,000 ($150,000 paid by Vestavia Hills Soccer Club over 10 years)
Fall 2006/Spring 2007: Renovation of Wald Park baseball fields, Cahaba Heights baseball fields/restroom – $160,000 ($50,000 paid by VHYB)
Fall 2007: Needs assessment study for the parks – $5,000
2008-2009: Field design/study – $113,000
June 2009: Batting cages at Vestavia Youth Softball – $64,000 ($32,000 paid by Girls Softball over 3 years)
Summer 2011: Helmets for OTM football league – $24,000 (To be repaid by OTM league over 5 years)
2012: SHAC sound system
2013: Partnered with the City of Vestavia Hills on a grant for the bridge at McCallum Park; VHPRF matched the grant donating $50,000 to this project
2014: Partnered with the Vestavia Hills Youth Football to provide additional bleachers at the SHAC
2015: SHAC Phase 1, including fields and parking expansion – $220,000
2015-2016: Sponsored Swim Safety in the Hills in partnership with the Vestavia YMCA to provide free swim lessons for children in our community
2016: SHAC Phase 2 Recreational Park – $700,000 (In partnership with City of Vestavia Hills for a $1.3 million park facility)
2017: Sponsored 2nd annual Swim Safety in the Hills in partnership with the Vestavia YMCA to provide free swim lessons for children in our community
2018: Sponsored 3rd annual Swim Safety in the Hills in partnership with the Vestavia YMCA to provide free swim lessons for children in our community
2020: Completed successful capital campaign to build Miracle League Field at Wald Park
Miracle League Capital Campaign
“There is something about playing the game that lights up a youngster’s eyes. But for children facing physical and mental disabilities that opportunity can often be difficult to achieve. Baseball diamonds weren’t exactly designed with wheelchairs and mobility devices in mind.” – The Miracle League
Thank you to all of our amazing donors who give graciously to support the Vestavia Hills community!
Endowers
Buffalo Rock
Visionaries
Dave Belcher Family
McCallum Family
Vestavia Hills Soccer Club
Benefactors
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama
Stakeholders
Mark and Jill Hopkins
Mike and Sherri Freeman
Jordy and Kim Henson
Stephen and Donna Porterfield
Jim and Joan Rein
Lauren and Christy Savage
Investors
Brian and Tracy Davis
David and Valerie Sarver
BB&T
Joe Lee Griffin Foundation
Greg and Denise Canfield
Jerry and Veronica Dent
Vestavia Hills Youth Football
Vestavia Lacrosse Organization
Butch and Diane Zaragoza
Patrons
Joe and Susan Compton
Frank and Jan Kimbell
Linda Allison
Benos Family
Tommy and Martha Dazzio
Rocky and Lucinda Harmon
Grady and Kimberly Moore
Power 10
David Satterfield
Thomas Sinclair
Robert S. Elliott
Bill and Mary Elliott
Bill and Jennifer McMahon
Foundation Board Members
Katherine Gorham, Board President
Leigh Belcher, Executive Director
Jeremy Deal
Anthony Kamburis
Allison Maners
Ingram Thornton
To contact any VHPRF Board Member, email vhprfinfo@gmail.com.
Non-Voting Members
Paul Head, Vestavia Hills City Council Liaison
Shelley Gentle, President, Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Board
Ashley Curry, Mayor, City of Vestavia Hills
Jeff Downes, City Manager, City of Vestavia Hills
Jamie Lee, Director of Parks and Leisure Services, City of Vestavia Hills
Contact Us
Vestavia Hills Parks and Recreation Foundation
P.O. Box 660177
Vestavia Hills, AL 35266
205.978.0166
vhprfinfo@gmail.com