This year (September 18-20, 2014) was like no other Fall Village Creek Clean-up. Village Creek Society dedicated this, their 9th
Annual Fall Village Creek clean-up to our Technical Director and Director of Finance, Mr. Richard S. Woodruff,
who is a living legend at 101 years of age. He has worked pro bono for 20 of those years with Dr. Mable B.
Anderson on the Village Creek Society Projects. As a Hydro Engineer, he knew how to control the flooding of
Village Creek: (1) Eliminate the erosion of the Creek Banks into the Creek which makes the Creek less deep, by
using Gabion Walls, (2) Replace the Avenue F. Bridge in Ensley that has 12 concrete support piers with a new
single span concrete bridge that has no piers and (3) Relocate the 3ft. diameter Sewer Pipe that is 5 ft. above
the Creek waters to under the Creek.
Until funds can be generated for the flood control situations, Village Creek Society holds a Spring and Fall Clean-up in Moro Park Ensley and South Pratt communities. Mr. Woodruff has worked with Village Creek Society in producing a design for a walking and jogging Trail along Village Creek. When the City did not accept his design, he located how Shades Creek obtained funds for their trail and worked with Village Creek Society and the City in obtaining funds from the same source. Through the constant efforts
of Village Creek Society, the Trail is at the point of Bids. With Mr. Woodruff’s input on the Executive Board and
the Advisory Board, Village Creek waters and banks are making the area a Learning Laboratory for high schools
to bring their science classes for hands-on-learning.
For the 9th Fall Annual Village Creek Clean up, all of the partners that work with Village Creek Society the two annual Clean ups were asks to sit on the platform at the Finale as VCS Dignitaries and bring a short message honoring Mr. Woodruff. Judge Patricia Stephens was the MC. A DVD was made of this event and can be obtained through Village Creek Society Office.
Mrs. Joyce Ladd sang a medley of songs from “know the Plan”. Included in this medley is “His Eye is on
the Sparrow”, Mr. Woodruff’s favorite song.
Mr. Perry McMiller served as Village Creek Society Grand Marshal for the 9th Annual Village Creek
Clean-up and Advisory Board member, Mrs. Angene Coleman, drove the Grand Marshal to the different clean-up
sites.
This year’s turnout of volunteers for all three days total was 294. The volunteers removed 5.03 tons of
debris and items from the grounds and in the creek at the Ensley and South Pratt area. The decreased amount
of tons removed this year is an indication that the clean-ups are making a difference.
Village Creek Society’s partners who donated and participated in the 9th Annual Fall Village Clean-
up are: Alabama Power Renew Our Rivers, Vulcan Material Company, Birmingham Public Works Department,
Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service, Jefferson County, City of Birmingham Department of Planning,
Engineering and Permits, Storm Water Management, Birmingham Park and Recreation Board, Birmingham
Police Department, Ensley and South Pratt Communities, Jefferson County Sheriff Department and several
organizations, high schools and colleges.
