The Alabama State Parks Division announced Monday that a new accessible playground has opened at Joe Wheeler State Park, creating a new destination for families visiting the park.
State Parks staff and community leaders marked the opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, April 10. Officials said the playground is designed for visitors of all abilities.
“This new playground at Joe Wheeler State Park represents more than just a place to play—it’s a place where families can connect, children of all abilities can explore, and lasting memories are made,” Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps said. “We’re proud to introduce a vibrant, inclusive space that enhances the visitor experience and ensures everyone can stay, play and explore all the beauty and adventure our parks have to offer.”
The project was funded through the Alabama State Parks Foundation and its partners. Lead contributions included $100,000 from the Daniel Foundation, $50,000 from the Thompson Foundation and $50,000 from the foundation.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Alabama State Parks Foundation, the Thompson Foundation, and the Daniel Foundation for their outstanding generosity and shared vision in bringing this project at Joe Wheeler State Park to life,” Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship said. “Their support helps us elevate the visitor experience and reinforces our commitment to delivering first-class adventures in every state park in Alabama. It’s truly inspiring to partner with organizations that believe in our mission and invest in creating memorable outdoor experiences for all.”
The Alabama State Parks Foundation has supported several other enhancement projects in recent years, including:
- Securing grant funding from the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to install a new playground at Rickwood Caverns State Park.
- Partnering with Buffalo Rock to buy patio furniture for Wind Creek State Park and Lakepoint State Park.
- Working with a fraternity from the University of South Alabama to buy a track chair for Gulf State Park.
“The foundation plays a vital role in elevating our State Parks from great to truly exceptional—helping create the kind of experiences visitors remember for a lifetime,” Foundation President Alex McCrary said. “Every gift, no matter the size, has the power to make a meaningful impact. The generous support from the Thompson Foundation and the Daniel Foundation shows exactly what’s possible when donors invest in our parks. We invite others to join us in shaping the future of Alabama’s outdoor spaces and making these treasured places even better for generations to come.”
Several other major projects across the state parks system are nearing completion through the $85 million bond issue for parks approved by Alabama voters in 2022.
Three bond-funded projects are expected to be completed later this year:
- A new 32-room bluff-side lodge at Cheaha State Park
- A full renovation of Lake Lurleen State Park
- An executive campground at Gulf State Park
The new playground adds to other recent upgrades at Joe Wheeler State Park, including renovations at Joe Wheeler Lodge with new railings, new balcony doors and windows for hotel rooms, new restaurant windows and a new roof.
The park also added a new beach pavilion next to the playground in 2024, replacing a pavilion destroyed by a tornado in 2019.
“Joe Wheeler State Park is one of the premier outdoor destinations in northwest Alabama, and it’s wonderful to see this new playground that will be enjoyed by children today, tomorrow and long into the future,” Representative Ben Harrison said.
