By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Top photo: Rendering of future Spillway Park construction. See more photos of work at this and other parks below.
With a beautiful weekend in store for our area, many residents may be headed out to one of our area parks for fresh air and exercise or simply taking in nature.
In Prattville, there is a huge system of 24 overseen by the Parks and Recreation Department, directed by Kellie Carter.
The EA News recently sat down with Carter and Prattville Councilman Robert Strichik, on a sunny day by the beautiful fountain downtown. With a light breeze and a gorgeous view of the Mill Apartments and Autauga Creek, it was a great time to learn what is happening within the multitude of parks in Prattville.
Carter has worked for the City of Prattville for 16 years and was named Parks and Recreation Director in 2013. When you visit downtown Prattville during Christmas, Mardi Gras, other holidays, the creativity of what you find is within the mind of Carter and her amazing team. Carter’s department also helps with cultural arts and special events, parades, Creek Walk activities, and the Way Off Broadway Theatre.
Within Parks and Rec for Prattville there are 30 full-time employees, and an additional 100 seasonal employees during various times of the year.
Strichik serves as the board Chairman for the Prattville Parks and Recreation Committee for the Prattville City Council. He said that quality of life issues are high on the list for the Prattville City Council. Strichik said he has lived in Prattville for most of his life and has 40 years of experience dealing with the park system, athletics and most recently serving on the council. He admits he is passionate about promoting all Prattville has to offer and particularly in the way of parks and athletic facilities.
Below is a list of recent, ongoing, or planned improvements to parks in Prattville. For a full list of parks, their locations, etc, visit https://prattvilleal.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/parks-and-facilities/ Use the interactive map by clicking a specific park for more information. How many have you visited?
Over the past several years, the Prattville City Council has methodically and systematically been making improvements to area parks. While it may not be on the timeline everyone would prefer, it is a work in progress. At the last regular Council meeting this week, even more progress was approved.
Obvious signs of construction can be found at Spillway Park in historic downtown. Renovations and expansion began last week. Once complete, it will include an outdoor venue area for concerts, dinners and much more. There will be dedicated parking and public restrooms, a walking trail to connect to the 4th Street entrance and an observation deck and seating areas. Also included is a kids play area and food truck hookups, which means no more generators. The completion date is set for November of this year.
Bell Park’s transformation of fields will begin in late spring. There will be dedicated football and soccer fields and new restrooms. There is also a piping project to increase green space, and all should be completed by the summer of this year.
Cooters Pond has seen recent upgrades to docks, LED lighting and restrooms. There is now a dedicated parking area for anglers for fishing tournaments, as well as a new playground that will be installed in the next few weeks. Completion of the playground is scheduled for May.
Coach Lorenzo “Lo” Pickett Park has seen new restrooms, playground equipment and the addition of a practice field for baseball and softball.
Mac Gray 1 Park saw the addition of four new softball fields used for adult, girls’ softball and baseball. There is a new scorekeeper and concessions building.
Mac Gray 2 has five new girls’ softball fields, batting cages, a playground and new scorekeeper/concessions building.
Newton Park projects include 18 pickleball courts, five tennis courts, and five new tennis courts currently under construction. There is a new walking path, skate park area, new restrooms and playground updates. The completion of the new tennis courts is set to be in June 2025.
North Highland Park is currently finalizing bid specifications for new basketball courts. Included in the improvements are new walking paths, playground equipment and a new restroom. Completion of the basketball courts is scheduled for late summer/early 2025.
Overlook Park is a dog park created with dedicated, separate areas for large and small dogs.
Pratt Park saw an all-inclusive playground built in 2022, new pavilions and new restroom facilities.
Spinners Park has new restrooms and the addition of three practice fields for baseball and softball.
Stanley Jensen Stadium has seen tremendous improvements over the past year, including new home side seating, concessions and restrooms. Also included is a new field house, state-of-the-art videoboard, new visitor concessions and restrooms, and turf replacement. This project is set for completion mid-April of this year.
Vista Pointe Park will be awarding a bid at an upcoming city council meeting. The project includes rustic walking trails, observation deck to overlook downtown, infrastructure improvements, and dedicated parking spaces. This project is set for completion in the Fall of 2025.
Let us know how many of the parks you have visited. What are your ideas to continue the growth and improvement? We would love to hear from you, and your comments on this article.
