Huntsville’s newest park is officially open, giving southern residents a fresh place to gather, relax and enjoy the outdoors. City officials cut the ribbon on The Park at Hays Farm on Thursday, celebrating a project years in the making.
A New Green Space Centered on Community
The Hays family donated the nine-acre site, allowing the city to create a park filled with inviting features. The space includes a gazebo, pavilion with restrooms, a waterwall, and a historic windmill from the Hays family farm.
In addition, the park’s walking paths connect to the city’s greenway network through the Elgie’s Walk Greenway, helping residents move easily between neighborhoods and nature trails.
Mayor Tommy Battle said the park will play an essential role in south Huntsville’s quality of life, noting that “added park space is a valued part of our infrastructure.”
Art, Fitness and a Focus on Recreation
To broaden the park’s appeal, the city partnered with Arts Huntsville and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama to install a state-of-the-art fitness court. The installation features artwork by a local Huntsville artist, bringing together health, creativity, and community pride.
Transitions between gathering spaces and activity zones make the park more accessible for families and individuals looking for different types of recreation.
Parks & Recreation Director James Gossett said he hopes the park becomes a place where residents “spend time outdoors and connect with community.”
A Key Feature in the Growing Hays Farm Development
The Park at Hays Farm cost $5.6 million to build and is designed as a focal point of the 850-acre Hays Farm master-planned development, which continues to add new housing and commercial amenities.
City Council President Jennie Robinson said the project will give residents “a unique place to live, work and play,” reinforcing the area’s rapid growth.
With its combination of passive green space, art, and fitness features, the park has already drawn comparisons to Legacy Park and Apollo Park elsewhere in the city. Officials hope it will serve as a signature gathering place for south Huntsville for years to come.
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