HUNTSVILLE — It may be cold now but Huntsville’s newest recreational attraction will be ready for the heat of the summer.
Apollo Park at MidCity is now open after a ribbon-cutting ceremony on a chilly and breezy Thursday morning. The site will offer a unique layout for those looking to enjoy the outdoors and take part in various recreational activities.
“This park is more than just green space,” said Huntsville City Council President John Meredith. “It’s a place for our community to come together to relax and to experience nature without ever leaving the city.
“MidCity has transformed before our eyes in recent years with the opening of the Orion Amphitheater and the growing number of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and recreational facilities.”
Meredith said the parks and green spaces are essential for enhancing the quality of life in the community.
“With the completion of Apollo Park, we now have a dedicated space where people can step away from the hustle and bustle, and enjoy the nature that is our outdoors,” he said. “Whether you’re a local resident or a visitor coming to shop or catch a concert, this park is a peaceful retreat just steps away from it all. They provide a space for exercise, relaxation, and social connection.
“That’s why it’s so exciting to have this incredible park right here in Mid City.”
Huntsville City Administrator John Hamilton anticipates Apollo Park will serve not only as a local attraction but a regional one as well.
“What we opened today is what I think will serve as a great neighborhood park for all of the literally thousands of people that will be living here in MidCity,” Hamilton said. “And then of course, as we add hotels, the visitors to our community.
“So it’ll be a great place for them to do their daily recreation, get exercise, or do whatever they may want to do to enjoy the outdoors.”
Parks & Recreation Director James Gossett went into detail about the various phases of construction.
“This is the latest piece of this project, a 10-acre expansion that in total will bring this park to about 20 acres, creating a vibrant community space for our residents and visitors that come into MidCity,” Gossett said. “This expansion builds on the success of phase one, which was completed in 2017, and phase two, completed in 2022.
The park includes a collection of amenities for residents, such as the new lower pond for kayaks and canoes to navigate while a pedestrian bridge spans a new water feature.
“One of the key elements in phase three is improved connectivity,” Gossett said. “Our bridge here connecting the northern and southern ends between TopGolf and Orion was one of the main goals. This new phase seemingly links these two areas so that we can have some synergy between these two.
“Another key element was the expansion of the existing lagoon. The third and final phase also introduces the pedestrian bridge which will provide beauty and functionality to the park’s landscape.”
Apollo Park will be open from one hour before sunrise until one hour after sunset. There will be no lifeguard on duty, and individuals using kayaks or canoes are expected to exercise caution.
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