The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development (UACED) - working for the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) - engaged Stick to document existing conditions and propose improvements to two key locations in the Bankhead National Forest (BNF). This project was one of several concurrent UACED initiatives to boost tourism and economic development in rural counties in northwest Alabama.

The Sipsey Fork River Trail and Caney Creek Falls were selected from several candidate sites within the BNF for a shared quality: significant infrastructure challenges that hinder their otherwise broad recreational appeal. Stick identified these challenges and developed conceptual plans to enhance the draw and accessibility of these sites.

The Sipsey River Picnic Area and Trailhead serves as the primary public access point to the Sipsey Fork, Alabama’s only federally-designated National Wild & Scenic River trail. This heavily-trafficked site – twenty minutes from Haleyville, Double Springs, and Moulton, and roughly equidistant from Birmingham and Huntsville – has historically served a wide range of outdoor enthusiasts. These visitors include picnickers, day-hikers, & backpackers accessing the Sipsey Wilderness immediately to the north, and especially recreational paddlers, who put in here for the extraordinary 9.5-mile float to the take-out on Highway 33. With pristine scenery and an approachable level of difficulty, this section of the Sipsey Fork represents one of the state’s premier day trips for canoers, kayakers, and paddleboarders of all skill and experience levels.

After a close on-the-ground study of existing conditions, including an impassable storm-damaged bridge and steep eroded banks, Stick developed conceptual site plans that include options for a pedestrian or vehicular bridge restoring access to picnic locations and overflow parking at the trailhead, user-friendly boat launch and landing, improved signage and wayfinding, and optimized parking and footpaths.

Caney Creek Falls is widely considered one of the most scenic falls in the entire state. At present, there is no developed public access to this natural treasure, even though the two most commonly-used trails lie almost entirely within the BNF. Stick identified a new alternate trailhead and approach path from the north that establishes designated public area for parking, amenities, and wayfinding.

These plans provided the USFS with actionable first steps, including budgeting, permitting, and identifying the key stakeholders and project members necessary for implementation.