George Ward Park: Difference between revisions
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'''George Ward Park''' is a 100-acre [[List of Birmingham parks|Birmingham city park]] located in the [[Glen Iris]] neighborhood of the [[Southside]] community. The property was purchased and dedicated as | '''George Ward Park''' is a 100-acre [[List of Birmingham parks|Birmingham city park]] located in the [[Glen Iris]] neighborhood of the [[Southside]] community. The property was purchased and dedicated as '''Idlewild Park''' park during the administration of [[Birmingham City Commission]] president [[George Ward]], but was largely unimproved. It formally opened to the public as '''Green Springs Park''' in [[1925]] and was renamed in Ward's honor on January 15, [[1952]]. Currently the park is sustained with the help of the [[Friends of George Ward Park]] and the [[Glen Iris Neighborhood Association]]. | ||
Beginning in [[2007]] the [[Red Mountain Garden Club]] and [[Little Garden Club]] began a campaign to plant new tree saplings in the park. Their plan was to germinate seedlings from the park's existing trees. Seeds were collected in [[2008]] and the saplings transfered to the park in Autumn [[2009]]. | Beginning in [[2007]] the [[Red Mountain Garden Club]] and [[Little Garden Club]] began a campaign to plant new tree saplings in the park. Their plan was to germinate seedlings from the park's existing trees. Seeds were collected in [[2008]] and the saplings transfered to the park in Autumn [[2009]]. | ||
Revision as of 09:20, 18 March 2020
George Ward Park is a 100-acre Birmingham city park located in the Glen Iris neighborhood of the Southside community. The property was purchased and dedicated as Idlewild Park park during the administration of Birmingham City Commission president George Ward, but was largely unimproved. It formally opened to the public as Green Springs Park in 1925 and was renamed in Ward's honor on January 15, 1952. Currently the park is sustained with the help of the Friends of George Ward Park and the Glen Iris Neighborhood Association.
Beginning in 2007 the Red Mountain Garden Club and Little Garden Club began a campaign to plant new tree saplings in the park. Their plan was to germinate seedlings from the park's existing trees. Seeds were collected in 2008 and the saplings transfered to the park in Autumn 2009.
Features
The Green Springs Villa was erected in 1933 with WPA labor as a recreation center for the park. It was left mostly unused and was vandalized before a 1950 project to restore it, with new interior wall murals by Alice Schaefer and Elizabeth Noble.
George Ward Park features six lighted softball diamonds, one of which has been used by the UAB Blazers softball team as their home field. Five of the fields are clustered in a star shape ringed by trees with a five-sided pressbox in the center. The fields are used by several leagues, including the Green Springs Park Softball Leagues and are managed by the Birmingham Amateur Softball Association.
The north end of the park has a tennis center with eight hard-surface outdoor courts. The courts are managed by the Birmingham Area Tennis Association.
The park holds a 24-hole disc golf course, which was completed in 1990. The course features concrete tees with 13 holes of less than 300 feet, 9 holes between 300-400 feet, and two holes of greater than 400 feet. The total course length is approximately 7,200 feet.
On October 17, 2009 the City of Birmingham dedicated the area's first public dog park at George Ward Park. The 2.6 acre fenced-in section included double gates and dividers for large and small dogs. Lobbying and planning for the park was undertaken by Bark for a Park.
References
- "Despite vandals, Green Springs Villa is open to public again for season" (March 1951) Birmingham News - via Birmingham Rewound
- PDGA Online Disc Golf Course Directory (July 24, 2006)
- "Parks Named for Clayton and Ward" (January 16, 1952) Birmingham Post-Herald - via Birmingham Public Library Digital Collections
- Singleton, William C. III (October 17, 2009) "Barking up the right tree: City opens dog park." Birmingham News
- Ruisi, Anne (October 23, 2009) "New trees being planted from originals in George Ward Park in Birmingham, Alabama." Birmingham News
External links
- George Ward Park website
- Friends of George Ward Park website
- George Ward Park at TrekBirmingham