(Alabama outdoors) Spring full of activities, upgrades in Alabama State Parks

So much has happened in the State Parks (ADCNR) (ADCNR) (ADCNR) (ADCNR) Ministry of Nature Conservation and Natural Resources that it is difficult to keep up with all renovation work, upgrades and extensions in the 21 State Parks.

The latest expansion takes place in Meaher State Park on the Mobile Causeway (Battleship Parkway) at the head of Mobile Bay. The Meaher RV Campground work includes a new bath house and new motorhomes. Reservations (https://reserve.alapark.com/) are now available for the new motorhome websites from Meaner. Residence stays begin from April 15, 2025. Additional reservation options for the ADA-accessible tiny cabins of the park are to be opened shortly.

Matthew Capps, director of Alabama State Parks, said that the expansion in Meaher State Park was financed by the recovery law with money from the “Oil Spill” handling by Deepwater Horizon.

“With the recovery allowance we were able to add 46 campsites, four tiny huts, a new campsite and a new bathroom for the campsite,” said Capps. “At Meaher we had a check-in-stand-in-stand previously in which all operations were accommodated. Now we will have a brand new building in which a shop and offices are invited and even offer space for some of our educational and interpretation programs.

“It is one of my favorite parks. You can jump into a kayak and paddle in one of the local restaurants with large seafood and live music. It is right there on the Bartram Canoe Trail, which the mobile-tensaw delta has to offer.

According to capps, the work is also completed in several other parks or completed shortly before completion, including Chewacla in Auburn, Lakepoint in Eufaula, Monte Sano in Huntsville and Wind Creek at Lake Martin in Alexander City.

“We have completed a new accessible playground in Chewacla State Park,” he said. “This has increased the park considerably. Further renovation work is Lakepoint, where our 44-room lodge is planned for completion by mid-May. With a view of the water, new lighting and renovated bathrooms in every room, this will be a welcome addition to the park.

“In Monte Sano we have renovated the CCC cabins (Civilian Conservation Corps) with modern updates, new kitchens, bathrooms, worktops and furniture. We are very excited that they will come online soon. In Wind Creek we build five Waterfront Cottage, each three bedrooms and three bathrooms. With 50 -ammay service, larger pads and complete pads.”

Capps was also pleased that the long -time member of the State State Park member Chad Davis was promoted to the deputy director. Davis started his career as a 19-year-old college student.

“People often start their career in State Parks as a lifeguard or maintenance or how Chad in the marina in the Joe Wheeler State Park,” said Capps. “He held almost every position in the Alabama State Parks system, including the serving Park Ranger.

“In the short time when he worked as a deputy director, he asked the right questions to improve our system, improve the well -being of our employees and ultimately improve general guest satisfaction. With more than 20 years of experience, he is the right type for the job.”

Davis was a Superintendent for the northwest region of State Parks and monitored the operations in Joe Wheeler, Monte Sano, Rickwood Cavern, Cathedral Caverns and Lake Lurleen State Parks.

After he was appointed deputy director, Davis said: “I have spent my entire professional career with the park system and I look forward to helping all 21 parks to help first-class experiences for every guest. We have fantastic state parks in Alabama and I am obliged to do it better than ever before.”

With Easter in less than two weeks, the leaders of Alabama State Parks also shared paths to experience the parks through planned special programs and events from Saturday, April 12, 2025.

In the Cathedral Caverns State Park on April 12th, children are encouraged to bring baskets with more than 5,000 eggs throughout the park for an impressive Easter egg search. The egg search for kindergarten teachers and younger children begins at 1 p.m., with the first and older children follow.

In Cheaha State Park, the park will organize its celebration event with egg hunts from 12 noon to 3 p.m. on April 12, which are divided into age groups. For those who do not take part in the egg search, many other activities are available, including archery, games, handicrafts and much more. Food and educational providers will be on site.

Rickwood Caverns State Park also organizes an Easter egg hunt on April 12th. The hunting will be divided into age groups from 1 p.m. The Easter bunny will be on site to maintain the children.

The annual golden eggstravagance takes place in Gulf State Park from April 14th to 19th, 2025. Price -filled golden eggs are hidden within the borders of the Gulf State Park. Eggs that were collected along the hiking trails can be exchanged for prices that range from parking goods and camping equipment to the main prize of a two-night stay in the lodge, including breakfast for two, and a VIP lead in the park. You can find more details at alapark.com/events.

On Saturday, April 19, Lake Guntersville State Park will organize the Celebrate Arbor Day event. The first 100 families present each receive a free tree that scolds the city of Guntersville. At 10:30 a.m., the CREFT with Nature program includes the lessons of the Naturalist Park about the craft with natural materials. At 2 p.m. the Wild Wirers: Tree Talks bring the participants with a hike on the Cutchenmine Trail to identify native tree species.

On April 26, the Gulf State Park will organize the Spring Beach Campout, where registered guests can spend the night on the beach. The cost of a tent is 45 US dollars for up to 4 people. Additional guests cost 5 US dollars. A parking space in the Gulf State Park Beach Pavilion is included in the price.

Visit Alapark.com/events for registration and details for all programs and events in Alabama State Parks.