Vestavia’s Liberty Park is built for families

LIBERTY PARK: Built for Families

Unlike most hometowns, Liberty Park is not a metropolis or an city—or even an actual town. Tucked away off I-459 in an enclave of Vestavia Hills, Liberty Park began with close to 4,000 acres and a heartfelt mission to create a responsible, well-designed, modern community that would bring neighbors together like the old days.

Designed as a master-planned community, Liberty Park is now home to more than 1,500 families who live in the architecturally diverse development that includes intimate neighborhoods, some gated. Sidewalks, lakes, playgrounds, greenspaces, and walking trails abound, and amenities include a shared pool and tennis courts. Events planned by the HOA are well-attended, from movies in the park to food trucks, an annual Easter egg hunt, and spring markets. All of these foster a sense of community in the large but close-knit development.

It’s common to see lines of golf carts during school carpool hours, as parents pick up their kids from the award-winning Vestavia schools located in Liberty Park: Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park (VHELP) and Liberty Park Middle School. In 2017, VHELP won a National Blue Ribbon, awarded by the US Department of Education in recognition of public and private elementary, middle, and high schools based on overall academic excellence or progress in closing achievement gaps among students.

Recently, Birmingham luxury home builder

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Harris Doyle constructed brand-new houses on 41 lots in the development, which ranged from three to five bedrooms in 2,400–4,000 square feet. In addition, they completed the longanticipated Townhomes at The Bray, set between The Church at Liberty Park and a small shopping area anchored by Publix.

The Bray now includes the townhomes, a new Chevron gas station and market, sports bar and restaurant On Tap—complete with patio dining, a green space for lawn games, and ample TVs— Anytime Fitness, Publix, and other retailers like a nail salon, flower shop, martial arts studio, and Papa Murphy’s pizza. On the opposite side of the Encompass Health corporate headquarters, the new Cahaba Station includes Cahaba Concierge Medicine and Snapper Grabbers, which has become a popular place for residents to pick up lunch baskets and bake-at-home dinner entrees.

The Liberty Park Joint Venture is at the helm of fulfilling the community’s Vision Plan, which includes developing the remaining 700 acres of the The Bray Town Village to create a true live-work-play environment. The plan includes pedestrian walkways, a large town green, and gathering places for neighbors, enabling the campus-style community to remain one of Birmingham’s best places to live.

Last month, LPJV presented updated plans to the Vestavia Hills City Council, which covered donation of land for a future new elementary school and dedication of particular roadways— existing and future—and public spaces to Vestavia. John Gunderson, president of Daniel Communities, is developing the project on behalf of LPJV. Residential plans include approximately 270 luxe multifamily units, as well as active adult and senior living housing. In addition, more than 600 new single-family homes will be built.

Pending approval, The Bray will include over 1,500 new residential housing units and a massive 102,000-square-foot commercial project that encompasses a high-end hotel, more restaurants, specialty retail, and businesses. LPJV would be responsible for new infrastructure like sidewalks and sewer, as well as road extensions. The entire plan, roughly totaled at $860 million, will lead to anticipated $300 million-plus in city and county revenues during the next two and a half decades; $236 million will remain in the city and approximately $121 million will go directly to support Vestavia Hills City Schools.

The city must approve the development agreement for the plan to move forward, but one thing is clear: Liberty Park, one of the last undeveloped areas of the city, still offers plenty of room for new residents to call it home.