Progress is being made on the largest park project Huntsville has ever taken on. John Hunt Park which began as an airport will become a recreation paradise.
The entire renovation of John Hunt Park is expected to take 10 to 15 years to complete. It will be done in multiple phases and include recreational activities the whole community can enjoy.
John Hunt Park in Southwest Huntsville is shaping up to be the City’s primary sports playground. Major construction is on going to turn the former airport into a recreation mecca.
“From cross country, to mountain biking, to disc golf, to baseball softball, tennis, soccer, lacrosse,” said City Administrator John Hamilton.
Thursday Mayor Tommy Battle showcased the updates to the John Hunt Park master plan. The original plan was announced 25 years ago. Additional improvements include sand volley ball courts.
“NCAA has sand volleyball and so we are seeing our youth leagues and our clubs respond of that response to that and there’s a significant increase in demand from our citizens in having that kind of venue,” explained Hamilton.
A new running and walking course will accommodate a 10K race for track and field at the high school and collegiate level. The park will also be a venue for large festivals.
“This Park has a long history with festivals and fairs and things, this is a site that now brings the infrastructure in to make it very easy to put on those large scale outdoor events,” said Hamilton.
The Mayor’s goal is to make it Huntsville’s Central Park. The City is funding the $17 million project through its Capital Plan.
“That investment turned into a community plays for all of North Alabama. We ended up with travel and tourism dollars coming in here. We end up with entertainment venues coming into here and all those make for a better quality of life,” said Mayor Tommy Battle.
On Nov. 10 the City is hosting a tree planting event. The annual event is a way to bring more trees and to continue to help John Hunt become a park.
