2024 Class of Fellows, Jane Reed Ross, FASLA, Alabama Chapter

Goodwyn Mills Cawood, Birmingham, AL
by Goodwyn Mills Cawood

Alabama Chapter - Category: Leadership/Management

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Alabama Chapter - Category: Leadership/Management

In her distinguished 40-year career, Jane Reed Ross has been a pioneer in developing creative destinations in greenspace and connectivity that promote active lifestyles for traditionally underserved populations. Her site design, planning, and placemaking solutions have transformed the landscape of the Birmingham, Alabama, metro area, and enhanced the economic, environmental, social, and health outcomes of the region. Her contributions are deep and broad, encompassing cultural landscapes, vibrant urban districts, and revitalized inner-city neighborhoods, as well as iconic trails and destination parks. She has been able to bring to fruition multiple pivotal projects because she connects people, municipalities, nonprofits, and agencies to create partnerships for fundraising and implementing progressive outdoor spaces. Between 1993 and 2007, Ross Land Design created or revamped many public spaces, including The Birmingham Children's Zoo, Homewood Central Park, Veterans Memorial Park, and Liberty Park. She was instrumental in building one of the first multi-use trails in the state, the Homewood Shades Creek Greenway, and the first trail in the future Red Rock Trail Network. In 2008, she joined the multidisciplinary firm of Goodwyn Mills Cawood, where she leads the landscape architecture design on public work projects throughout the Southeast. Some of her significant projects include the Red Rock Trail Master Plan for Jefferson County and Rotary Park, where, partnering with Birmingham Rotary Club, she created a linear park and greenway through the heart of Birmingham in a depressed rail bed. Reed Ross served as Alabama Chapter president from 2014-2016 and was recognized in 2021 with their Service Award.