If birdsong accompanying your morning coffee, sunlight filtering through tall trees and a view of lush fairways stretching to the horizon appeal to you, then several of the newly-developed sections of Emerald Mountain should be on your must-see agenda.

One thing that impresses visitors to the Mountain is the special character each "neighborhood" offers. In most of them a particular type of tree lends its name to the section. Hickory Hills and Cedar Ridge, for example, have these trees as part of their landscaping. The Emerald Mountain Naturalization Program offers a variety of trees ranging in height from 10 to 12 feet to families on designated lots at no charge. Another important aspect for home buyers is the emphasis on an individual design for each house. No cookie-cutter neighborhoods here!

Gardeners will appreciate the sandy loam red clay soil and everyone looks forward to the glorious annual display of azaleas and drifts of spring flowers.

A recent tour of the community included several of the already established neighborhoods such as Magnolia Place and The Oaks, where landscaping and lawns are maturing, then circled through the newest section under development, River Birch Park. Here, stands of River Birches—highly unusual in Central Alabama—will form a 25 acre central park ringed with patio homes. The lots have been laid out so each one backs up to the golf course and fronts onto the park.

All the patio homes will be constructed of brick and offer a minimum of 1600 square feet of living space. These small lot, low-maintenance homes will appeal to young professionals who want to be in the country yet minutes from town (thanks to Jim Allen’s Emerald Mountain Toll Bridge). Homes in this section will also appeal to retirees or semi-retired persons looking for a smaller home in a secure community neighborhood. With amenities including a luxurious clubhouse, walking and biking trails, an equestrian center, several lighted tennis courts, an excellent restaurant, convenience store and gift shop in the mini-shopping center at the toll bridge entrance, and a recently opened school that will eventually handle K-12, Emerald Mountain has a lot to offer a prospective homeowner. And the well-equipped playground has great appeal for the younger set.

An 18-hole golf course is rapidly nearing completion. Developed by Cam Hardigree owner of popular River Run Golf Course, this highly rated course was designed by Ward Northrup, an internationally recognized expert in golf course design.

This course will offer a real challenge to the experienced golfer. Stretching across hills and valleys, the winding fairway ribboned with a concrete sidewalk for golf carts, has a number of strategically placed water hazards and sandtraps. The clubhouse sits atop a knoll with a sweeping view of four holes: A very pleasant spot for reviewing the day’s play and devising new tactics for besting opponents the next time around.

Naturally, the rapidly unfolding golf course intrigues and entices newcomers to the mountain. But it is the chance to live in a beautiful, natural environment, close to Montgomery yet far removed from its noise and bustle, and becoming an integral part of a friendly community that makes the Emerald Mountain lifestyle so appealing and certainly one worth exploring.

When you see for yourself the beauty of the lotuses blooming in the 112 acre wetland, the stands of old hardwood trees, and admired the sweeping panoramic view from the backyard of the Clubhouse, you, too, will be smitten with the unique charms of Emerald Mountain. For further information call 334-514-2001.

  Published October 1998, Alabama Prime Times
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