Inglenook Park
Inglenook Park is a small public park located on the block between 40th and 41st Street and between 37th and 38th Avenue North in Birmingham's Inglenook neighborhood.
In the late 1930s the Inglenook Civic Association, headed by A. J. Horton, asked the city to consider dedicating a 60-acre park in the center of the neighborhood. At the same time, other residents of Inglenook, led by Harry Rives and W. B. Austin, appealed to the city to expand and improve the existing playground area near Inglenook School. The Birmingham City Commission said that it had no funds for new parks at the time, but that the groups should meet with the Birmingham Parks & Recreation Board to settle on the best site.
In 1941 property at both sites was purchased. The present Inglenook Park block was bought from W. M. Westbrook in for $16,000. Another 3.25 acres was acquired at the same time for expansion of the school's playground area.
An existing frame residence on the park property was converted into a community center. A baseball diamond was laid out on the remaining area of the block.
The building was demolished for construction of the Inglenook Community Center and three tennis courts in 1968. Additional improvements were made to drainage and curbing using HUD-funded block grants in the late 1970s. A children's playground, two basketball courts, and a paved path around the baseball field have since been added.
References
- "[ Inglenook Park appeal is made]" (July 13, 1938) The Birmingham News - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- "City purchases Inglenook Park" (February 19, 1941) Birmingham Age-Herald - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections