Parks for Play

STORY BY MAGGIE GOVE & PHOTOS BY CLIFF WILLIAMS

AAlexander City and the Lake Martin Area are home to several of Alabama’s beautiful parks. If you are new to town, visiting or have lived here for years, these are places you simply must explore. Each with its unique attractions, these four parks are fun for every member of your family.

Wind Creek State Park

Wind Creek State Park is an amazing 1,444-acre park that hugs the Lake Martin shoreline just south of Alexander City.

With entrance fees of $5 or less and annual passes available, this park is perfect for a quick day trip, a weekend getaway or a longer camping trip. There is so much to do once you enter the park, from hiking trails to guided horseback rides, ziplining tours, boat rentals, the swimming beach, a putt-putt course and great picnic areas. “We have a large picnic area that has tables and grills spread throughout,” said Bruce Adams, park superintendent. There also is a community archery range and beautiful views of the lake from the silo tower. “A must-do, if you’ve never been to Wind Creek State

Park, is the silo tower,” said Adams. “But you have to be ready to climb.” With 586 campsites, Wind Creek State Park is one of the largest state-operated campgrounds in the United States. The park also has cabins available – even three dog-friendly cabins – as well as equestrian camping areas. Visit Wind Creek State Park at 4325 state Route 128 in

Alexander City between 7 a.m. and dark daily. For more information, visit alapark.com or call 256-329-0845.

Pennington Park

All throughout the year, Pennington Park hosts fun and exciting events. From the Easter Egg Dash to Art in the Park and the Farmers Market series in the summer, there is always something lively going on.

In 2017, Kurt Pfitzner and his wife, Leigh, purchased the only remaining undeveloped plot of land in the heart of Dadeville with the dream of turning it into a venue for quality of life in the community. After a year of cleaning, building a pavilion and planting flower berms, the Pfitzners started hosting events.

Since the first set of events in 2019, Pennington Park has become a treasure to the city of Dadeville. Truly following their motto, “A Park for all Seasons, a Venue for all Reasons,” the Pfitzners allow the community free use of the park for a plethora of events – weddings, baby showers and gender reveals, reunions and more – along with the ones they host for the community.

Pennington Park’s biggest event of the year is Christmas in the Park, a huge holiday event involving the whole community and spanning nearly two months. Anyone who wants to participate can sign up for a 10-foot by 10-foot spot on which to build a Christmas display.

Participants are encouraged to be unique and use their setup to represent their businesses and tell their stories. Last year, a total of 25,000 lights were set up in the park. This year the Pfitzners’ have a goal of 45,000 lights with more than 100 displays.

The community will spend the month of November covering the park with displays; and then, on the Nov. 22, the Pfitzners will host The Grand Lighting of Pennington Park. Everyone will gather for hot cocoa and cookies, a choir will be singing, and at a time unknown to the crowd, the lights will be turned on.

“We had an audible gasp last Christmas,” Pfitzner said. “It was just incredible.”

The park is located at 121 N. Spring St. in Dadeville. Discover more about the park and its community events on its Facebook page.

DARE Power Park

Located just 6 miles west of Dadeville lies the sandy beach cove of DARE Power Park. Owned and operated by Alabama Power Company, is open seasonally for picnics and recreation. APC Shoreline Recreation Leader Josh Yerby shared that two of his favorite amenities at the park are the adventure playground and the paved walking trail along the shoreline.

The 30-acre park has three shaded pavilions, 13 picnic

With 586 campsites, Wind Creek State Park is one of the largest state-owned campgrounds in Alabama Local parks host arts and music events throughout the season

tables, open charcoal grills (just bring your own charcoal) and public restrooms ready for you and your family.

“The three covered pavilions are available for rent/reservation but are first come first serve,” said Yerby.

Pavilion reservations can be made by calling the park attendant office at 256-825-8386 during operating hours or by calling 205-664-6418.

The park is located at 4633 Young’s Ferry Rd. in Jacksons Gap and is open seasonally, operating on weekends only in the months of May and September and seven days per week from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The hours of operation are 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. More information about DARE Power Park can be found at apcpreserves.com/lake-martin.

Charles E. Bailey Sportplex

The Alexander City Charles E. Bailey Sportplex is a 212-acre public park perfect for a fun afternoon getaway, some outdoor exercise, a picnic with family or friends and so much more. The park has many attractions and amenities for you and your family to enjoy. There is a 3-mile walking trail, a nine-hole disc golf course, an outdoor fitness circuit, playgrounds, a splashplex, picnic areas throughout the park, an archery range and even a dog park.

The sportplex is a great place to take kids.

Beyond all of these incredible attractions you can access for free, the sportplex also has amenities available to book or rent. There is an archery range and horse-riding arena – each home to an Alexander City club – as well as a cabin, pavilion and various sports fields.

Whether you want to take your dog, your family or go for a peaceful retreat by yourself, the sportplex has something for everyone. Call 256-329-6736 or visit alexandercityal.gov/sportplex to book space or for more information.

Horseshoe Bend National Park

Horseshoe Bend National Military Park was established to commemorate the 1814 battle in which Major Gen. Andrew Jackson’s army attacked 1,000 Red Stick Creek warriors fortified in a horseshoe-shaped bend of the Tallapoosa River. More than 800 Red Sticks perished in the battle that ended the Creek War and led to the cession of 23 million acres to the United States.

In addition to educational programs, display and a bookstore inside the visitor center, the park offers guests a 3-mile self-tour around the battlefield, including a visit to Jackson’s vantage point during the conflict.

Hiking, picnicking and nature study are encouraged at the park. Bicycle riding is allowed on the loop road, and fishing is allowed at the Miller Bridge boat ramp. The boat ramp is a popular put-in point on the Harold Banks Canoe Trail, a 25-mile stretch of the Tallapoosa River that features wildlife viewings, shoals and unique plantlife. The endemic Cahaba Lily can be seen from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day along this section of the river.

Visit nps.gov/hobe to plan a visit to Horseshoe Bend National Military Park.

256-234-4295