One of the most unique parks and nature

preserves in the South is Orr Park, located

just south of

Birmingham

in the charming city

of Montevallo, Alabama.



A beautiful preserve along Shoal Creek, the

park features traditional amenities such as

picnic tables, walking trails, a recreation

center, ballfields and more. What really

makes Orr Park unique, aside from its

charming setting, is a unique effort by artist

Tim Tingle to preserve the park's ancient

cedar trees.



Many of these old cedars were dying or had

died and, despite their age, were destined for

a meeting with a chainsaw. Tingle, however,

saw potential in the old trees and over time

transformed many of them into remarkable

works of art.



As visitors roam the trails and woods of the

park today, they are greeted with remarkable

carvings of faces, figures, story book

characters and even a dragon. They range

along the park's walking trail and were given

to the people of Montevallo by Tingle. His gift

has brought joy to many and astonishment to

others.



The massive project, affectionately called

Tinglewood, now includes over 30 sculptures

It began in 1993 when a storm damaged

many old trees at Orr Park. Tim Tingle (also a

coal miner) sought permission from the city

leaders to begin converting the damaged

trees to works of art.



His vision quickly became a celebrated part

of life in Montevallo and over time the number

of carvings grew. He uses only dead trees,

leaving the living ones to grow as part of the

living forest.



Tingle's massive outdoor creation of art at

Orr Park is quite simply one of the most

impressive sights in the South.

