Chewacla State Park announced the opening of a new Event Center, an 8,500-square-foot facility designed to host corporate retreats, community celebrations, weddings, birthday parties and other gatherings.
Park officials unveiled the facility Friday during a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local leaders, tourism officials and State Parks staff.
“Numerous community organizations have long chosen Chewacla State Park for their events, and we’ve always envisioned a dedicated space to serve as the centerpiece for those experiences,” Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. “Now that vision is a reality, and this new facility will invite even more visitors to stay, play and explore all that Chewacla has to offer.”
The Event Center includes a gathering area, warming kitchen, restrooms and audio-visual capabilities. Outside, the venue has a newly designed parking area with pedestal hook-ups for food trucks, which park officials said eliminates the need for generators. The building also features five oversized slide-up doors intended to create an indoor-outdoor flow.
“This new Event Center is an exciting addition that elevates the experience at Chewacla State Park,” state Senator Jay Hovey said. “From graduation celebrations to wedding receptions and countless special gatherings in between, it’s designed to bring people together in a truly memorable setting. The continued growth at Chewacla State Park reflects Alabama’s strong commitment to expanding outdoor recreation and creating welcoming, accessible spaces for everyone to enjoy.”
Officials said funding for the Event Center came from the $85 million bond issue for parks that Alabama voters approved in 2022.
Chewacla also added a new state-of-the-art playground last year, expanding a list of amenities that includes mountain biking trails, historic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, a 26-acre lake and a waterfall.
“Investing in our state parks means investing in the people and experiences that bring our communities to life,” state Representative Joe Lovvorn said. “The new Event Center is more than a venue—it’s a destination. It’s where families gather, friendships grow and unforgettable memories are made for generations to come.”
Officials expect three other major bond-funded projects at state parks to be finished later this year: a new 32-room bluff-side lodge at Cheaha State Park, a full renovation of Lake Lurleen State Park and an executive campground at Gulf State Park.
In addition, Wind Creek State Park unveiled new lakeside cottages last year, Joe Wheeler State Park is expected to unveil a new playground soon, and Rickwood Caverns State Park is expected to open a new entrance soon.
“Chewacla State Park continues to shine as one of our region’s premier destinations,” Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said. “Thanks to the visionary leadership of Commissioner Blankenship and the State Parks System, meaningful investments are transforming an already exceptional park into something even more extraordinary—a vibrant hub for gathering, celebrating and creating unforgettable family memories.”
