Park history

Gardendale’s four parks, the newly-renovated Bill Noble Park, the Kenneth Clemons Athletic Complex, Luman Harris Park and Beatrice Johnson Park are all named for notable Gardendale leaders.

Judge Bill Noble served six terms as Gardendale’s mayor, from 1972 to 1996. Although the complex underwent a massive renovation over the last 18 months, the name remained. Noble was on hand for the grand opening of the new park and even threw out the first pitch to christen the new fields.

The new complex houses the youth baseball, softball and football teams, as well as a tennis, pickleball and other items. It is located on the northern end of Moncrief Road, at the intersection of U.S. Highway 31.

The Kenneth A. Clemons Recreational Complex is home to Gardendale’s soccer programs, as well as Celebration Park Playground and Pavilion, splash pad, dog park and disc golf // Continued on Page 13// course and the GUTs hiking trail.

Clemons served on the City Council of Gardendale from 1972 until 1996 when he was elected mayor. He served the city he loved as mayor for three terms before stepping down to accept the position as executive director of the Jefferson County Mayors Association. Kenny served on many boards and organizations in Jefferson County and the State of Alabama, including the Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center, the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Regional Planning Commission.

The complex is located on the southern end of Fieldstown Road, the address for this complex is 2191 Fieldstown Road, Gardendale, AL 35071.

The Beatrice Johnson Park is located at 3811 New Castle Road. Designed for children ages 5 – 12 and handicapped accessible, the park has a pavilion, picnic tables and grills on site.

It was named in 2016 for resident Beatrice Johnson, a community member who attended council meetings, to stay involved in the city happenings and advocate for the community she loved. In the dedication, Mayor Stan Hogeland said “If ever one person showed a living example of how one person could truly make a difference, it was Mrs. Johnson…In closing, one person can truly make a difference!”

Luman Harris Park is named for Gardendale native and former Atlanta Braves manager Luman Harris. It is located off Pineywood Road on Park Street, across from Pineywood Baptist Church, about a quarter-mile south of Tarrant Road and one mile north of the intersection of U.S. Highway 31 and Pineywood Road at the city’s southern boundary.

Luman Harris played ball at the park when he was a child, when the park was named Pineywood Park. That led to a 35 year career as a pitcher, coach and then manager of the Atlanta Braves. Now, Luman Harris Park is also the home of Gardendale’s Miracle League field and the Raymond G Doss Playground of Miracles.

This monthly feature is produced in conjunction with the Gardendale Historical Society.