Ruffner Treehouse Village

My name is Randi Pink and I’m the owner of Ruffner Treehouse Village in the Eastlake neighborhood in Birmingham Alabama.

I’ll begin with the mission statement and why I spent a large chunk of my savings to purchase the acreage. It may be important to include here that I am not a rich woman. I am, in fact, a former stay-at-home-mother, rebuilding my life after a March 2021 divorce. I also write young adult literature, which is how I was able to save to spend on the lands. Here is the mission statement, followed by the hole I’m attempting to fill in our city:

Ruffner Treehouse Village’s purpose is to create a magical place for children and adults alike to learn, grow, and fellowship while breathing in the wild air of historic Ruffner Mountain Preserve. To work with nature instead of against it.

The pandemic revealed to me just how dependent I, and Greater Birmingham at large, am dependent upon daycare and institutional education for our children. During the pandemic, I filled the roles of teacher, cafeteria worker, nurse, counselor etc. myself. It opened my eyes to the need for spaces, outside of educational institutions, where Mothers, parents, guardians etc. can fill that need. So I began to design a space for kids, and adults alike, to learn about Birmingham and its history, grow food and fellowship with Elders, and connect with nature in unique ways and environments. Also, because it’s 2021, that space would need to be Instagramable — enter Ruffner Treehouse Village. When I saw the land become available on Zillow, I put in an offer within 45 minutes of its posting and shockingly won that bid.

The extra specialness of that magical piece of land is where it sits. Not only is that land right at the entrance of The Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, but it’s neighbors are the exact children I’m looking to cater to — non-agriculture/non-farming community kids. Most of the parents of the children in Birmingham are employed in a non-agricultural capacity so their children are rarely exposed to the things rural/farming kids are exposed to — food growing techniques, milking animals (goats), laying animals (chickens) etc. I want our kids off the Ipad and excited to escape to a place in their backyard.

My plan for the Village —

(4) 8-10 Person Tree Houses each themed according to Birmingham history, ADA accessible*

(1) 40-Person meeting space, similar in size and character as Avondale Villa

(2) Fireside chat spaces

(2) treetop platforms (not ADA accessible)

(1) Office/Retail/Parking space on 1st Avenue to shuttle patrons up the Mountain (aside from ADA accessible parking and employees, there will be NO parking at the Village).

The preliminary themes of the (4) treehouse are—

Eastlake Elders & Kids Farm Treehouse houses a small teaching farm which invites a cohort of (10) children and (10) Elders every year meeting weekly throughout the growing months. The purpose is for our Elders, some former sharecroppers and direct descendants of former sharecroppers, to share their brilliance with the next generation. I also plan to house an oral history from those Elders there.

M.A.P.S. Treehouse will be the home of historical maps that have shaped and shifted Birmingham and now-lost landmarks. This treehouse will serve as an archive for history including redlining maps, maps of tunnels and caves underneath the park systems of Avondale/Crestwood, and beautifully hung photographs of Birmingham of yesteryear. This treehouse will host an annual, weeklong camp where (10) children explore Birmingham, following the maps and landmarks, and touring Birmingham as it is versus as it used to be.

Literary Treehouse will house books and books and more books. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, popcorn and the most comfortable chairs imaginable. No cell phones allowed! Literary Treehouse is for reading and enjoying the written word. The literary treehouse will house a year-long cohort of (10) Eastlake teens twice a month for writing workshop.

The final treehouse, I’m leaving blank for now. On the journey toward building the Village, I’m searching with an open heart for the need and when I find it, I’ll designate the final treehouse’s theme.

Also, once the Village is operational, I plan to have an annual Elder’s dinner where I invite (10) city leaders to serve (10) elders. A dinner where Birmingham’s brightest, including the Mayor, are assigned an Elder for the evening to cater to their every need, from the moment they exit their vehicles, that city leader is that Elder’s personal butler. I know this may seem unconventional, but our Elders, especially those born in Birmingham, have more wisdom in their tiniest toe than any of us. They deserve our full attention, if just for an evening.

Sincerest thanks for your support!

Randi*