Another in a series of articles about local cities from our Progress 2103 edition.

Pinson has experienced growth since the city was incorporated in 2004. As a retail hub for the northeast part of Jefferson County as well as neighboring communities in Blount County, it is also growing its array of recreational facilities.

The city council just approved plans for a new city park just off Sweeney Hollow Road.

The plans include an amphitheater, splash pad and nine-hole “Frisbee” disc golf course.

The first phase is slated for completion in late 2014.

Pinson is served by four Jefferson County schools, including Pinson Valley High School. The Indians had considerable success in its sports teams last year, with baseball and boys’ soccer teams advancing to the AHSAA Class 5A state semifinal playoff rounds, and the football team making it to the second playoff week.

Just to the west of Pinson is the Turkey Creek Nature Preserve, a 486-acre forest preserve that is home to three endangered species of fish.

The preserve has four hiking trails, the latest of which — the mile-long Hanby Hollow Trail — opened on July 20.

Pinson is home to not one, but two annual festivals.

The larger of the two is the Alabama Butterbean Festival, home of the Guinness-certified world’s largest pot of baked beans. The event began in 2006 largely as a fund-raiser for the Palmerdale Community School, since converted into a community center. This year’s festival is scheduled for Oct. 4-5.

City Fest is held each spring, as it was this past April. The day-long event features rides for children, entertainment and craft displays.