Spring is here! As the weather starts to warm up, you’ll want to know where to take the kids or your pet for some outdoor fun. Here’s our list of the best parks in the River Region.
Montgomery
Ida Bell Young Park
5400 Vaughn Rd
This is a 24-acre park located between Montgomery Catholic and St. James School. The park features wide-open spaces, a playground, tennis courts, walking trails, and a shelter available for rental with restrooms. The park is intersected by a marshy stream filled with plants and wildlife, surrounded by shade trees.
Oak Park
1010 Forest Ave
Oak Park, located in historic Downtown Montgomery, is home to 40 acres of gardens, a fish pond, playgrounds, and open space. Beautiful mature trees cover the numerous walking trails that meander through the park. The park has 5 pavilions ranging in size that are available to rent. The W.A. Gayle Planetarium is located within the park, as is the headquarters of the Montgomery Parks and Recreation Department.
Vaughn Road Park
3620 Vaughn Rd
This park is located at the intersection of Vaughn and Perry Hill Road. The park’s main feature is its huge playground area for kids of all ages. Two tennis courts are located toward the front, and a walking trail encircles the entire park. A backstop for baseball, softball, kickball, or wiffle ball is near the back. This park’s wide open spaces can support any other outdoor activity you can think of.
Discovery Village
401 N Hull St
Located in Kiwanis Park, Discovery Village Playground is perfect for smaller children. Because this park is right next to Old Alabama Town, it blends into the aesthetic of the 18th and 19th-century homes. Your kids can play pretend in a general store or riverboat or explore the maze of elevated walkways. This is the perfect place to let their imagination run wild!
Blount Cultural Park
3 Festival Drive
Blount Park is one of the most popular parks for Montgomery residents. The park is located just off the Eastern Boulevard and is one of the largest parks in the area at 77 acres. The park boasts beautiful, English-inspired scenery and ponds filled with fish, turtles, ducks, and geese. The Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival are located here. ASF almost always has a great show or musical on, and the museum is always free! You’ll love exploring this park over and over.
Bark Park
6055 Vaughn Rd
Bark Park is widely recognized by locals as the best dog park in the city. It is located across the road from Ida Bell Young Park and within Blount Cultural Park. This park has plenty of space for your dog to run free and explore. There is a fountain and wash station for messy play times. The park is closed for maintenance on Tuesday mornings, and you should always keep in mind muddy grounds after periods of rain. Check out the park’s Community Facebook page to meet other dog parents, set up playdates, and stay updated on weather and maintenance.
Gateway Park
3800 Davenport Dr
Gateway Park is a regional destination for Montgomery Area residents. The park has the standard amenities like playgrounds and shelters available for rent, but it also boasts a baseball/softball complex, football and soccer fields, a lake large enough for water skiing and fishing, a 9-hole golf course and driving range, and a lodge. The lodge is also available to book for larger events. This park is perfect for adults looking for an active afternoon or parents looking to entertain their children for hours.
Wetumpka
Gold Star Park
Meadowview Dr
This park is the center of many Wetumpka community events. Along with playgrounds and picnic areas, there are beautiful scenic walking trails throughout the park. There are lots of bridges, wildlife, and sculptures to admire. There is also a boat ramp that gives you access to the Coosa River, which runs next to the park. From the trail, you can also see sections of Wetumpka’s impact crater, the remnants of an 84.4 million-year-old catastrophic event. Have fun exploring this gorgeous historic park!
Sonshine Playground
Mulder Church
Sonshine Playground is located next to Mulder Church. It was recently renovated in 2020 and is open to the public to use every day of the week. The park features a Noah’s Ark-themed play place and various areas to climb and swing. There is also a tennis court adjacent to the playground.
Corn Creek Park
US Hwy 231, across from Julia Tutwiler Prison
Corn Creek is one of Wetumpka’s best hidden gems. The area is a privately leased plot of land owned by the Coosa River Paddling Club. Besides walking trails and picnic areas with breathtaking views of the Coosa, individuals and groups can bring their kayaks, rafts, and inner tubes to enjoy the water on hot summer days. The park is maintained by the club and volunteers, but it seems like untouched wilderness in the middle of a growing town.
Prattville
Pratt Park
460 Doster Rd
Pratt Park is a favorite for Prattville residents. There is a large playground, open spaces, and a pond with ducks and geese to feed. During the summer, there is a free splash pad little ones can enjoy and a deep swimming pool for the older kids ($3 admission for adults and kids over 3). Overall, Pratt Park is a popular place for spring and summer fun!
Spinners Park
390 W 6th St
Spinners Park is home to some of Prattville’s favorite events, like the Spinners Pumpkin Patch Arts and Crafts Festival every fall. During the rest of the year, this park is loved by families and their children. Some of the amenities include a playground, ball fields, grills, and picnic tables. There is also a small pavilion available for parties. This park has plenty of shade, so it’s the perfect place on a hot sunny day.
Old Memorial Park
299 Jay St
Formerly known as Overlook Memorial Park, Old Memorial Park is located next to Pratt Elementary. This park has a playground, a pavilion for rent, a walking trail, and beautiful landscaping to enjoy. There’s a cute bench with an ivy trellis arched over it, which is perfect for a rest or photo after a fun day. There is also a garden planted next to the playground with flowers and other vegetation to admire and learn a little.
Wilderness Park
800 Upper Kingston Rd
Wilderness Park is Prattville’s most unique park. It is an oriental bamboo forest that feels like another world. This invasive species has grown and multiplied since 1940 when it was planted by the former landowner. Today, the bamboo grows in and around the native plant life to create unique scenery for the walking trail that cuts through the forest. In keeping with the Oriental aesthetic of the bamboo forest, there is a pond filled with lily pads, sunken trees, and wildlife. It is best for a short walk or meditation, as the area is quiet and serene.
Millbrook
Village Green Park
Across from Millbrook City Hall
Village Green Park is a focal point in the Millbrook Community. The park is divided in two by shallow Mill Creek. On the “Green” side, a tree-lined, lighted walking trail encircles the park’s open space. A footbridge connects this side of the park to Kids’ Kingdom, a recently renovated playground. On the Kids’ Kingdom side of the park, there is also a gazebo and a covered stage you can rent for parties and events.
Memorial Center Park
3108 Park Ct
Memorial Center Park is right next to Village Green. The park has a baseball and softball field, as well as three batting cages. The Memorial Center building is available for rent for events of 100 guests or fewer. The Millbrook Civic Center is here as well and can accommodate over 250.