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Right beside Homewood’s Lakeshore Drive, a trail is bustling with life. Runners, walkers, bikers�� they are just a few of those who have been taking advantage of the new and developing Shades Creek Greenway.Shades Creek Greenway sees around 120,000 to 150,000 users every year and is continuing to grow since its initial construction.Take a look at the Cahaba River Cleanup for Earth Day above.Homewood’s City Council is currently working on expanding the trail as well as creating a much larger scale network of trails within the Greater Birmingham Area.Resident or tourist, everyone is invited to take advantage of this city development. Samford University cross country athlete Sinkenesh Parker says that the team uses the trail very frequently on non-race weeks for runs and workouts. She said she also uses it for personal runs. Parker says she appreciates the convenience of the location and continuous construction of the path.“I like how close the trail is to the track and to campus. This close access makes it convenient for us and our schedules. I like how they continue to extend the trail, so our runs aren’t as repetitive,�� said Parker.University of Alabama at Birmingham junior Sammy Mueller said she comes all the way from her campus in the city to use the trail.“I enjoy that it is surrounded by nature, and it is refreshing to walk and talk with someone or even get quiet time away from a loud city,�� she said.Homewood’s city council said that the trail is meant to provide a safe venue for people to spend time outside and encourage physical activity. City Councilmember Nick Sims said that the trail helps promote and maintain a “high quality of life�� for residents.Beyond these more obvious health-related reasons, Sims said that Shades Creek Greenway serves a more utilitarian purpose. He said that the trail “serves as a functional transportation route for cyclists and pedestrians.”Sims also noted the ecological value of the development.“The trail corridor also serves as a buffer from over development along the stream and preserves the land to fill critical stormwater and habitat needs,�� he said.Mueller said that she has used Shades Creek Greenway for access to environmental education. She said that her class visited the trail to practice identifying different trees and organisms in the water.The city of Homewood has a 3-phase plan in action to expand and refine the trail. The original trail (phase I) has been completed since 2002 and had the trail running for 2.6 miles. Recently, phase II was completed, with a ribbon cutting ceremony taking place on-site earlier this year. This ceremony recognized the 1.4 added mileage, called the Wildwood Greenway. The final phase will cross Lakeshore Drive and end at West Homewood Park.In this latest phase II, City Councilman Walter Jones noted that his own son, Winston, has made his own contribution. As part of his Eagle Scout project, he added AED devices to the trail.As the community populates this new paved trail, Jones said “This has provided a sense of encouragement to anyone who might have a cardiac event while on the trail.”Sims explained that this development is part of a larger scale plan introduced by the Freshwater Land Trust, a local nonprofit, called the Red Rock Action Plan. The long-term goal of the plan is to create 36 miles of connecting trail throughout the Greater Birmingham Metropolitan Area.  The plan shows the trail running through Red Mountain Park, to Railroad Park, past Ruffner Mountain and back. City Councilwoman Jennifer Andress is so passionate about this project that she joined the Freshwater Land Trust as external affairs and special projects director.Andress describes herself as a “passionate advocate�� who will stand behind these projects and will push and push so that they do not lose momentum.“This is the kind of work I love and it's not because I love going out and using these sidewalks and these trails, which I do, but��  I see what this does for these communities that invest in this kind of infrastructure,�� said Andress.Andress related this system of trails to one she loved back home in Dallas. She recalled how gorgeous the trail became, not only due to the natural beauty, but seeing everyone come out to the trail and be in community together.“I mean, it's just humanity on display and it's just beautiful,�� she said.The Shades Creek Greenway trail system brings out the hidden beauty of Homewood, Andress said.While the trail is a wonderful resource for the community, there are still some things about it that could be better. Parker says that she wishes there were bathrooms and drinking water sources along the path for trail users.“Since the trail has been extended and people may run further out, they should have access to water and a bathroom,�� says ParkerAndress noted that bathrooms and official trailheads for the trails are in the works. She said that she loves that people are discovering new parts of the city that they didn't know were there. The trails under overpasses and behind shopping centers, are nestled in the greenery hiding under and around these areas.“You don't know you're under I-65. You don't know you're behind Walmart,�� she said.The path runs along a beautiful little creek that is not easily visible from the road, allowing for access to the water as well as a nice view while exercising. As the trail continues to grow, it's just one more piece of a bigger puzzle being put together to connect the community even further.