Ribbon Cutting, Inaugural Walk Held at Semmes Senior Center Walking Trail

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. – Officials from Mobile County, the City of Semmes, Semmes Senior Center, and others gathered to celebrate the opening of the Semmes Senior Center Walking Trail on Sept. 12 with an official ribbon cutting and inaugural walk.

At the event, members of the Senior Center wore tutus in celebration of the grand opening. “We are tutu special out here at the Semmes Senior Center,” said Linda Davis, Co-Director of the Center.

The Semmes Senior Center Walking Trail provides a place for individuals to maintain or improve their well-being in a setting that could remain open and accessible in the event of future social distancing requirements or emergency situations that could make more outdoor recreation/exercise areas necessary.

The ADA-accessible Semmes Senior Center Walking Trail was constructed through the wooded area directly behind the Semmes Senior Center. The trail is lined with seating areas, landscaping, a small footbridge, water fountains, and an array of ten ADA-accessible exercise stations. At approximately 0.75 miles, the trail offers many entry places to begin a stroll through the beautiful landscaping and wetlands.

“This is not the end but the beginning for amenities here at Semmes Senior Center,” District 2 Commissioner Connie Hudson said.

The Semmes Senior Center Walking Trail was funded by the Community Development Block Grant – Coronavirus (CDBG – CV). $300,000 was awarded to Mobile County by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA). The Walking Trail is open to all Mobile County residents.

Originally a residential structure built in the 1950s, the Semmes Senior Center was renovated and completed in 2013 by the Mobile County Commission to serve as the Semmes Senior Center. Refurbishments included eliminating and tearing down walls, ADA-compliance upgrades, structural improvements, flooring, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, roofing, septic system, added elevator lift, interior furnishings, new parking, and a new entrance to the property from Moffett Road. In 2017, Mobile County Commission further upgraded the center to include upgrades to parking lot lighting and the addition of a garage-type storage building. In 2019, the Semmes Senior Center underwent a major expansion to add 2,600 square feet of ADA-accessible space, which opened in 2021, along with additional parking and storage.