Bluff Park, Alabama Forum

Bluff Park, Alabama Forum
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General Category >> General Board >> New to Bluff Park
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Message started by Shadesmommy on 12/30/08 at 4:51pm

Title: New to Bluff Park
Post by Shadesmommy on 12/30/08 at 4:51pm

Hello all! Our family is new to the neighborhood and excited to meet our neighbors and get involved! We have two preschool aged girls- and a baby boy on the way in May! Very interested in meeting other moms in the neighborhood for playdates- and family fun! :)
We moved here from Charlotte not too long ago- fell in love with the house and the rest is history! I'm interested in exploring the Historical Society as well- but just saw the meetings fall at nap time ;D So I guess I'll have to meander down and explore at another time. Its our understanding from the previous homeowners that there were two little girls in our house in 1902. So happy to continue the tradition! :) And to learn about the history of the area.
Until then, in addition to the delicious Bluff Park Diner, the Tip Top, Wee Wardrobe, On a Shoestring, BP Hardware and the park at the Community center- where else do y'all recommend we check out? (I've been busy exploring!)

And until we meet- :)
-Kerry

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by harvardmba on 12/30/08 at 7:10pm

can you give us some ideas of what you might be interested in seeing and doing? You live very close to a lot of shopping, sports, enterainment, religious, and outdoor venues and activities.

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by Shadesmommy on 12/30/08 at 7:16pm

Well- Anything special to the neighborhood? Local treasures?
Outside of the neighborhood I am sure we can do a little googling. I was hoping for friendly neighborhood chat here. :)
Am I in the wrong forum?

If I have misposted please remove! Thanks! :)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by Bluff Park Forum Admin on 12/30/08 at 8:27pm

Shadesmommy wrote:

You're in the right place and we're very happy to have you here. Welcome to Bluff Park!

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by Bluff Park Guy on 12/31/08 at 1:09am

You may want to check out the Moss Rock Preserve walking trails. You can get to them off of Sulpher Springs Road. There is also a nice little walking track around Star Lake down by Hoover Country club.

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by BluffParkWriter on 12/31/08 at 5:50pm

Shadesmommy wrote:

you are absolutely in the right place! and welcome to the forum and Bluff Park!
if your kids are going to Bluff Park Ele that is a great school
here is a link to the school http://www2.hoover.k12.al.us/schools/bpES/Pages/default.aspx

This is a great area full of all kids of people of all ages.
if you are looking into the history of the are check out my corner on the website bluffparkal.org
http://www.bluffparkal.org/heathers_corner.htm
I have several writings on the history of our area.

If you do not have a home church there is a list of the Bluff Park area churches on the info page
http://www.bluffparkal.org/information.htm

There are also some very nice churches on the out-skirts of Bluff Park as well.

other place to visit and shop in Bluff Park, I would send you to the Shades Mountain Shopping center (piggly wiggly, shades mtn cleaners, studio one dance, hoover fitness, Ashley mac, and Dr. Ketchum's dentist office) There is also a new Wing place opening in the center and Bluff park Village (armor safe storage, dollar general, little czars, chinese place) a little down the road is a cvs an gas stations, and a cute little shop called Manervas'

There is a great playground and Park in the center of Bluff Park
Shades Cliff Pool is there also
http://www.bluffparkal.org/heathers_corner_shades_cliff_pool.htm

I would suggest mapquesting your house and taking a look at the streets around you, everything in Bluff Park connects most of the way. Park Ave is a long road that goes through the center of Bluff Park where the school is) and there are nice sidewalks to walk on (I do a few times a week.. if you need a walking friend!)

I will post you more in a bit

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by HitByDebris on 01/01/09 at 2:15am

Welcome to Bluff Park and Happy New Year!!
We moved to Bluff Park 10 years ago and have two children that have gone through Bluff Park Elementary, Simmons and now the oldest is at Hoover High, GO BUCS!!! You are in a wonderful area to raise your children and I wish you and your family the best. This forum is a better source than the "other" forum (al.com) for Bluff Park information and Hoover information. It is a little slow at times but you will get good information. Maybe traffic will pick up.

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by RockviewResident on 01/01/09 at 8:46am

Welcome!! If you want to be a member of the pool, better go ahead and get on the list. My wife and I got on it last year and I believe the wait time was about 2-3 years.
:o

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by fitgrl on 01/01/09 at 9:48pm

Welcome to bluff park!! It is so nice to see new people move to the area interested in the meeting the neighbors and getting involved!! Several moms hang out at the Bluff Park park area during nice weather. I know when we first moved back I met a ton of moms and kids there! The pool is definitely a great place to meet new people in the summer but the previous poster is right, there is quite a waiting list. However, Birchtree Pool is very nice and not too far out of the bluff park area and doesn't have a waiting list. This board and site are definitely great places to find information!!

Welcome again!
8-)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by think pink on 01/02/09 at 6:33pm

Welcome to Bluff Park!! We have been here almost 15 years. Both are children went through Bluff Park Elementary and are now at Simmons and at the high school. I am employed with the school system. We love the neighborhood.. everyone looks out for each other. We are one big happy family!!! Do get on the list for the pool.. the waiting list is long... but it is the best money we have ever spent. My children practically live there during the summer. The park is a great place to meet other families. There are some excellent churches in the area too. Again Welcome to Bluff Park :)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by Shadesmommy on 01/02/09 at 6:45pm

Thanks all! I guess we'll get on that waiting list for the pool list and see you out and about when the weather gets nice!
:)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by skim on 01/05/09 at 12:18pm

Shadesmommy,

Welcome to the neighborhood. :)

Lisa's number to get on the pool waiting list is 822-7125.

We have a 2 year old and a 3 year old, so I feel suited to advise on our festivities in and around the Bluff. :) Obviously, just strolling along Park and taking in the Tip Top and the Diner are fantastic. As well as the Bluff Park playground. There is also a playground we go to a lot at Hoover Sports Park Central, located here. (http://maps.live.com/default.aspx?v=2&FORM=LMLTCP&cp=33.384092~-86.822999&style=h&lvl=19&tilt=-90&dir=0&alt=-1000&scene=10261368&phx=0&phy=0&phscl=1&encType=1)

The Hoover Library (http://www.hooverlibrary.org) is great. They have a Kid's Corner-basically a room with books and computers with kids' games loaded up. They have weekly story times. (http://www.hooverlibrary.org/kidzone/weekly) They also have a Theatre at the Library that has some good kid things come through. We saw the Imagination Movers (Disney channel folks) there last year for free.

We enjoy the Aldridge Gardens. (http://www.aldridgegardens.com/)
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens (http://www.bbgardens.org/)
We frequently go up to the Galleria and Patton Creek shopping centers and just walk around.

There are a few blow up, inflatable jumpy-type places around. JumpZone (http://www.jumpzoneparty.com/JumpZone_Open_Play.php?jzpcity=Pelham&jzpid=010) and Pump It Up (http://www.pumpitupparty.com/al/pelham/calendar-p8q15.htm) have open play times but they do both get pretty crowded. I think the wife also took the kids to a similar type place in Vestavia but not sure about the name.

The place we go to the most is the Birmingham Zoo. (http://www.birminghamzoo.com/) Not the best zoo comparatively speaking to some others, but it is ours and we love it. The yearly membership more than pays for itself in our case.

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by Shadesmommy on 01/05/09 at 12:25pm

Thank you so much Skim!! What helpful info!
We already love the Hoover library- what a jewel it is!
I found ballet lessons for my 3 year old- and I'm looking into the Vestavia Kids Gym!
I'll get on that pool list too!
Can't wait to try the zoo! My daughter asks every day!

Those links are wonderful. Truly appreciated! Now if only this crazy weather would cooperate! Nothing like Mojntain living for clouds! Are we out of the drought yet?

Looking forward to forcing myself onto random moms at the park! I get overtly friendly when lonely- so if your wife comes home talking about the yapper. It was me 8-)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by skim on 01/05/09 at 1:49pm

My pleasure. Most of it is pretty obvious...but it is what we do. To add to it, we also take in any entertaining things coming through the Civic Center (http://www.bjcc.org/). You got the circus coming towards the end of this month and Playhouse Disney (http://disney.go.com/disneylive/playhouse/) is coming in March. Also, the Heart of Dixie RR Museum (http://www.hodrrm.org/) does a Thomas themed something or another in March I think, but if the kids are not particularly into Thomas, you can go anytime and ride the train for much cheaper. The 18 year old version of myself would be very disappointed I know this much about these types of things, by the way. :)

"Looking forward to forcing myself onto random moms at the park! I get overtly friendly when lonely- so if your wife comes home talking about the yapper. It was me"
That has the potential of sounding so very inappropriate. ;D

I will tell the wife to keep an eye out for a chatty, lonely, preggers, North Carolinan transplant with 2 girls. :)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by Shadesmommy on 01/05/09 at 1:52pm

LOL

Probably not the last time I will be told my humor is inappropriate! I love a good laugh! ;D

We actually did the Santa train, have Circus tickets already too! ;)

I told ya'll! Ready to get out and play! Love our house! But we also love to be busy! :)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by RockviewResident on 01/05/09 at 6:30pm

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. When one moves to the state of Alabama, he/she must choose an allegiance to either Auburn or Alabama.

My vote goes for Auburn.

:D

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by Shadesmommy on 01/05/09 at 6:59pm

He he he. My husband mentioned that! He's a double UVA grad. Can I go with Auburn simply because the colors are the same and I don't have to buy more gear??

I don't know football from ice fishing. So its all lost on me. 8-)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by RockviewResident on 01/05/09 at 8:07pm

Shadesmommy wrote:

Can I go with Auburn simply because the colors are the same and I don't have to buy more gear??

)

Of course!! Good enough for me!

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by BluffParkWriter on 01/06/09 at 3:50pm

[color=#006600]if I may suggest 2 dance studios for ballet,
studio 1 dance of Bluff park, I know the owners and they are wonderful with kids http://www.s1dance.com/

also Alabama Dance Academy with Pam Merkel 3221 Old Columbiana Road Birmingham, AL 35226 205-978-6830 its on highway 31 in front of Greenvalley ele. They have a website www.aladance.com but the site seems to be down today[/color]

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by kscott on 01/06/09 at 3:54pm

ROLL TIDE

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by Shadesmommy on 01/06/09 at 3:56pm

LOL

Gotta Love enthusiasm!

Trust me- I cannot take a side. :)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by think pink on 01/06/09 at 6:23pm

You have to go with Auburn. 8-) But of course if you want to make it interesting be a split family. My husband and youngest child go for Bama. My oldest son and I go for the great Auburn Tigers. :)

Title: Re: New to Bluff Park
Post by Shadesmommy on 01/06/09 at 6:28pm

If you knew how little I know about football you'd be fighting over who HAD to take me.
;)
I spend most games wondering what I will eat next.