Fall Line Overlook

Cliff Williams / TPI Wetumpka leaders cut the ribbon to the Fall Line Overlook. It is a small park with benches and view of the Coosa River.

Wetumpka officials celebrated Friday as the Fall Line Overlook opened to the public.

It is the next stop in the Tulatoma Snail Trail through downtown Wetumpka.

The newest small park in downtown Wetumpka features benches, a map of the state showing the fall line and panels featuring information about the formation of the area. But one thing is truly special — the scenery. 

PHOTOS: Fall Line Overlook opens in Wetumpka

“The view is amazing,” Main Street Wetumpka executive director Haley Greene said. “It has great views of the river and is so accessible.”

The small pocket park has been designed and constructed over the last 14 to 18 months. It also helped with storm water runoff downtown.

Main Street Alabama and the Alabama Power Foundation each provided a $25,000 grant for the project. Wind Creek Casino and Hotel also provided financial support for the project. The City of Wetumpka did as well.

The park is located along the bank of the Coosa River between The Kelly Fitzpatrick Center for the Arts and Coach’s Corner. 

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The snail trail was the brain child of Main Street Wetumpka founding director Jenny Stubbs. 

“We started with the Elmore County Museum,” Stubbs said. “We were able to get a group together to fix rotten wood, broken glass and remove old carpet on the stairs. We also worked on the sidewalk and installed benches.”

From there, Main Street went to The Alley and Merchants Way. All have spots for someone to sit and learn a little about the area. The path takes visitors and residents by downtown shops and restaurants. The trail was part of the puzzle to bring businesses and people to downtown Wetumpka.

“It is exciting to see what used to be so tattered, ragged and rough around here,” Wetumpka Mayor Jerry Willis said. “Downtown is now a shining spot in our community. Who would have ever figured that you would see this renaissance.”

There is nothing currently on the drawing board to create another stop on the snail trail.

“We have a couple of things coming up,” Greene said. “There is nothing we're ready to reveal yet. We have to raise some more money, so since we used it all in this project.”