Cottages and row homes line the edge of Silverock Cove.

Part of the plan when we designed Silverock Cove was to take the principles of New Urbanism and apply them to Smith Lake.

New Urbanism is mostly concerned with creating communities that are configured around the following aspects: walkability, diverse housing, quality architecture, connectivity, sustainability and a number of public spaces at the center of the community.

You are probably familiar with a number of communities built around the principles of New Urbanism. Communities such as Seaside, Florida and Blount Springs in Alabama utilized many of the ideas that have come from New Urbanism.

While Silverock is a small resort community, the fundamental approach to these design trends can be seen in the planning of the site.

The walking paths lead you past your neighbor’s porch and down to the swimming pools. The amphitheater is in the middle of the development, allowing for a perfect spot to have a picnic or toss a football. A mix of cottages and row homes enjoy lakeside views.

As our crews are now at work on Phase IV of Silverock, the initial vision is becoming a reality. If it’s been a while since you’ve visited us, come back by and take a look at all of the completed work. We believe Silverock Cove is a unique lake community, and one that is well suited to the environs of Smith Lake.

Thanks to all of the great volunteers who came out to take part in the first Wake the World event in Alabama. Boats took a crew of kids from Big Oak Ranch out on the water, and the kids all had a blast riding tubes, wakeboarding and spending a long day on the lake.

Special thanks to Heath Patton, who organized the event and arranged food and boats for everyone to participate.

Check out a few photos below.

Silverock Cove was one of the lead sponsors of the 2010 Save the Black Warrior campaign

Sweetwater Brewing Company and the Black Warrior Riverkeeper have announced that they raised $10,000 during the month of September for the “Save the Black Warrior” Campaign. The money raised helps the BWR continue to patrol the rivers and monitor water quality on the Black Warrior and its tributaries.

The campaign has raised more than $30,000 since its inception in 2008, and is a part of a coordinated effort by Sweetwater as they work with other Waterkeeper Alliances throughout the South. The program raised funds by selling t-shirts, glassware and paper fish for donations at bars in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa. The J. Clyde and Blackwell’s were the top fundraisers in Birmingham and Innisfree and Egan’s raised the most money in Tuscaloosa.

“Save the Black Warrior has been such an upbeat, interactive, and successful program,” said Charles Scribner, Executive Director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “SweetWater and the participating businesses in Birmingham and Tuscaloosa have raised much-needed funds and awareness for the vital but vulnerable Black Warrior River watershed.”

Silverock Cove is proud to be associated with the Black Warrior Riverkeeper as one of the lead sponsors of “Save the Black Warrior” along with Mountain High Outfitters. To learn more about the BWR: to donate, volunteer or purchase BWR merchandise, please click here for their website.

The big winner!

Thanks to everyone who submitted some excellent photos in our “Leisure on the Lake” photo contest. There were so many excellent entries–we had dogs, big fish, acrobatic tubing & wakeboaring and a lot of kids caught flying through the air.

Congratulations to Jennifer Morrissey-Patton, whose photo of a kiddo catching some big air above the Silverock pool got the most votes in the contest. Her family wins a catered dinner in their home from Chef U. And thanks to all the entries in the contest, Silverock Cove is donating $100 to the Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

Check the slideshow below for more great photos from the contest! And thanks for all the great entries–Be sure to save up your photos for our next contest!