Fultondale is just as aggressive about improving everyday life for its citizens as it is about economic growth.

In recent months, city workers have revamped Black Creek Park, which Mayor Jim Lowery said “was a dream of mine for years.” Also, the city has connected Black Creek Park with the Children’s Park with a walking trail that is part of the Five Mile Creek walking trail project.

One of the city’s biggest projects this year was the building of a new state-of-the-art public library, which features much more space than the old building, additional computers for patrons and more.

For military veterans and their guests, another of the nicest additions to the city is the new American Legion Post 255, which was completed in recent months. The former facility was heavily damaged by the April 2011 tornado; the American Legion held the grand opening ceremony for the new building on the two-year anniversary of the storm.

The city of Fultondale purchased the former American Legion site, located at U.S. Highway 31 and Stouts Road.

The North Jefferson Memorial Park is there, and Lowery said the city will also add a monument honoring the city’s public safety workers.

He added that the city will be installing another large U.S. flag next to Interstate 65, along with a monument in memory of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

A major quality-of-life factor in any city is its schools. Lowery said he hopes the Jefferson County Board of Education will help Fultondale. The city’s elementary school is severely overcrowded, and the high school is one of the oldest in the county and most people say it needs to be replaced.

“We’re very hopeful that Jefferson County will come out and do some more construction out here,” Lowery said. “We’re watching it closely.”

Other organizations that contribute to the well-being of Fultondale citizens are the Fultondale Chamber of Commerce, which donates food items to schools during testing and other projects; and the Fultondale Arts Council, which hosts art events and festivals in the community.

“Fultondale has come a long way,” Lowery said. “We’re going to see good, positive things added as we continue.”