HUNTSVILLE — In 2024, the City of Huntsville made significant strides in improving quality of life for residents, with two major projects in District 3: The Park at Hays Farm and the Sandra Moon Community Center.
Chad Bostic of Bostick Landscape Architects, right, gives Council Member Jennie Robinson, center, and Brenda Conville of Freedom Real Estate and Capital a tour of The Park at Hays Farm.
These initiatives reflect the city’s ongoing commitment to creating vibrant spaces for recreation, wellness and community connection. Both projects saw major progress this year and are expected to open to the public within the next 12-18 months, offering residents new opportunities to gather, explore, and engage.
In October, District 3 Council Member Jennie Robinson joined Mayor Tommy Battle and Jim Hays for the groundbreaking of The Park at Hays Farm. The park is located next to the new Freedom office buildings in a planned commercial district that will offer restaurants and retail spaces. It will feature a signature lagoon and waterfall, a performance area and a pavilion. In partnership with Arts Huntsville, a fitness court will be included, along with walking paths and connections to the City’s greenway network.
A rendering of The Park at Hays Farm. The new urban park is scheduled to be completed in 2025.
The 9-acre Sports Park at Hays Farm opened last summer, offering two regulation-size, multipurpose fields ideal for soccer, lacrosse and other activities. Designed to connect seamlessly with the Hays Farm greenway, the park will also be accessible via a tunnel from the eastern side of the road, providing easy access for all visitors.
The Hays family has generously donated over 1,300 acres of land and millions in infrastructure improvements to Huntsville, benefiting numerous community projects including new schools, major road improvements, parks, fire stations and water treatment plants.
Earlier in the year, Robinson also helped cut the ribbon on the new arts wing at the Sandra Moon Community Center. The wing is home to several prominent local arts groups, such as the Huntsville Community Chorus and the Huntsville Youth Orchestra. In October, the City Council awarded a bid for the final phase of the Sandra Moon Community Complex, which will include a 611-seat theater, a 300-seat event center, two refurbished gymnasiums and enhanced landscaping and lighting to further elevate the facility’s impact.
A rendering of the 611-seat Sandra Moon Performing Arts Venue.
“The Hays Farm Urban Park and the Sandra Moon Community Center may differ in scope, but both are dedicated to enhancing the lives of our residents,” said Council Member Robinson. “The park offers a beautiful space for outdoor activities, while the community center provides a state-of-the-art auditorium and a place for connection. These important projects will serve our community for many years to come, fostering wellness, recreation and a sense of belonging.”
Other highlights from District 3 in 2024 include:
Council Member Robinson gives a tour of the new Huntsville City Hall to residents of Magnolia Trace.
- Council Member Robinson joined Mayor Battle and her fellow Council members in cutting the ribbon on the new City Hall. The beautiful building also features 10 commissioned public art pieces, including Miracle Territory by Jahni Moore, Transformative Soil: Terra Firma by Cynthia Wagner, and Cityscape Block by Block by Guadalupe Lanning Robinson. The seven-story structure encourages collaboration between departments and provides ample space for meaningful engagement with residents.
- Robinson also participated in the “Drive Away Litter” initiative, a Green Team effort to combat roadside litter. Speaking at the kickoff event at Blevins Gap Nature Preserve, she emphasized the importance of the ongoing #LitterFreeHSV campaign. Huntsville’s Landscape Management Department collects 28,000 pounds of litter weekly, highlighting the ongoing need for residents to take responsibility for maintaining a clean city, especially along roadways and rights of way.
- City Council approved a plan that will lead to a record amount of road and street repaving, including Bailey Cove Road. Due to its length, work will be carried out in phases. Additionally, a traffic island will be built to ensure safe crossing of Bailey Cove from the Aldridge Creek trail. A multiuse path along Bailey Cove will link to the Weatherly multiuse path and Hays Farm Trails. Farther south, a second traffic island will be constructed, allowing pedestrians to cross Bailey Cove Road safely to reach McGucken Park.
- Finally, a new fence was installed along the front of McGucken Park at the close of 2024, enhancing the park’s appearance and security. Looking ahead, the 2025 budget includes a range of exciting improvements, such as vital drainage upgrades and enhancements to the park’s existing facilities, ensuring a better experience for all visitors.
From Huntsville City Blog
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