HUNTSVILLE — The Rocket City is hosting the launch of an Apollo mission.

Only this one deals with greenspace instead of outer space.

The city is holding a ribbon-cutting Thursday for Apollo Park. The 20-acre recreation area is between the Orion Amphitheater and Top Golf in the MidCity District.

“This park represents the city’s commitment to offer recreational options for our residents in every part of Huntsville,” said Mayor Tommy Battle. “We look forward to its completion and delivering this beautiful recreation space to the community.”

The park will feel similar to downtown’s Big Spring Park. It will feature two lagoons suitable for canoeing and kayaking, walking paths, swaths of open green space, trees and landscaping.

A partnership with Arts Huntsville and the National Fitness Campaign will provide a Fitness Court at the park with original artwork from artist Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Parks and Recreation Director James Gossett said city leaders knew the district needed something like this project to add to resident’s quality of life.

MidCity already has multiple shops, restaurants and places to live. Apollo Park will help contribute to the area’s “Eat, Play, Live” aspect.

“Apollo Park is just another piece to the puzzle there at MidCity,” Gossett said. “It really is a park that will allow residents and citizens that come there for an event a space to recreate in and even if you live there it’ll give you a place to get some exercise.”

The park will feature two lagoons for canoeing and kayaking, a beach area, walking trails, a pedestrian bridge, a fitness court, and lots of green open space for recreational activities.

“We’re always excited when we get the opportunity to add a feature to a community and this will be a really integral feature at MidCity for the people who are coming out there,” Gossett said. “It will be a place that you can gather, you can exercise, you can spend time with your family – all those things will be available to you there on that site.”