George Ward Park
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 a park during the administration of Birmingham City Commission president George Ward. It formally opened to the public as Green Springs Park in 1925 and was renamed in Ward's honor in 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.
Softball fields
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.
Tennis courts
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.
Disc golf course
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.
Dog park
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
- 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