Being one of the smartest cities in the country, Huntsville has its 3 Rs. But, it’s not necessarily readin’, ‘ritin’, and ‘rithmetic. Since everyone knows what happens with “all work and no play,” we’ve made a slight change to the formula: Rockets, research, and recreation. To wind down after a long week or long day at work, Huntsville has engineered diverse ways to fill “downtime.” And those ways are all within walking distance.
Welcome to the Huntsville Recreation District, which features more diverse activities in one square mile than perhaps any other place in the South, if not the country.
Here’s just a short list of some of the activities:
● Curling/ice skating
● Skateboarding
● Shooting
● Soccer
● Disc golf
● Tennis/pickleball
● Running/walking
● Beach volleyball
● Kids’ playground
If you want to take a walk through U.S. military history or find a place to relax and unwind with good food and a cool beverage, it’s right at your feet in the Recreation District.
Joe Davis Stadium
The only stadium with its own NASA rocket engine, Wicks Family Field at Joe Davis Stadium, is a multi-sports venue. Locally known as “The Joe,” the stadium originally opened in 1985 for the Minor League Baseball Huntsville Stars and went dormant in 2015 when the Stars moved to Biloxi, Miss. It was renovated and reopened in 2023 as a state-of-the-art sports facility and is the home of Huntsville City Football Club of MLS NEXTPro, an affiliate of Major League Soccer’s Nashville SC. Featuring a 360-degree concourse, state-of-the-art audio and video, and a beer garden, the 6,000-plus capacity venue hosts high school and college football, college and pro soccer, and even private events. In August, the University of North Alabama will play Samford at “The Joe” to kick off the college football season.
For information, visit www.mlsnextpro.com/huntsvillecityfc/stadium/events/private-events.
Loretta P. Spencer Sports Complex
The facility features two lighted, championship multi-purpose fields, stadium seating, a concession area, locker rooms, and restrooms.
There are also eight lighted grass fields for youth soccer matches. The complex is the training center for Huntsville City FC and hosts college matches and the state high school soccer championships.
Huntsville Ice Sports Center
This dual-rink facility offers daily public sessions, birthday parties, and ice rentals on professional regulation rinks. Coming this year are a third competition-size rink and facility with seating up to 1,200 people, and a state-of-the-art curling facility that will seat 200. Figure skating and hockey skill development classes are available through the Huntsville Skating School. The Ice Sports Center is home to the University of Alabama-Huntsville club hockey team, youth and adult hockey programs, and serves as a second training rink for the Huntsville Havoc minor league team.
For information, call 256-883-3774 or visit icesportscenter.com.
John Hunt Park Recreation Center
The 53,000-square-foot center at the northwest corner of the district offers outdoor lighted pickleball courts that can accommodate tournament play, four full-size gymnasiums, a fitness center, and more.
Disc golf course
This 18-hole disc golf course offers long and short layouts designed for everyone, from recreational to pro level. The course is lightly wooded and moderately hilly, with four ponds, synthetic tee boxes, and baskets. Next year, the course will serve as the base for the Professional Disc Golf Association’s Amateur Disc Golf World Championships and is the home of the final round of the event.
Kids Space
Kids Space ADA-certified playground offers three themed areas, taking children on an adventure through Huntsville’s past, present, and future.
Special features include a sky bridge, ropes course, embankment slide, shade installations, and seating for parents to watch their kids. A restroom facility and water stations are also available.
Get-A-Way Skatepark
This 52,000-square-foot skatepark features a three-bowl - including a clover bowl, two snake runs, a three-quarter capsule, street plaza, and other unique features for skaters of all ages and skill levels. The facility opened in late 2023 with support from a nonprofit headed by pro legend Tony Hawk.
Mountain Bike Trail
The 4.1-mile trail features more than 50 superfast machine-built berms and enough rollers to satisfy even the most adventurous athletes. The trail is bike-only, alternating direction each day, and is designed and used as a National Interscholastic Cycling Association/Alabama Cycling Association race site suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Cross Country running trail
The championship-caliber cross-country course is a 10-meter-wide, manicured grass surface course that accommodates high school, NCAA, and USA Track & Field competition. The multiple spurred loops provide various distance options, including 2-mile, 5K, 6K, 8K, and 10K. For the walkers among us, there are approximately 2 miles of accessible walking trails.
Huntsville Tennis Center
A state-of-the-art 36-court public facility, Huntsville Tennis Center features 30 clay courts and 6 hard courts, making it one of the largest clay court facilities in the South. HTC offers public play, lessons for all ages, leagues, tournaments, and social play days.
For information, call 256-883-3986 or visit huntsvilletenniscenter.com.
Sand Volleyball Complex
The 17-acre professional sand volleyball complex includes 15 lighted courts, pavilion, locker room and restroom facilities. The courts host collegiate national championship tournaments along with recreational competition. There is a covered viewing area, along with restrooms and concession areas.
For information, call 256-881-7564 or visit rallyvb.com/huntsville-overview.
Baseball/Softball fields
In the southwest corner of the district and adjacent to the Huntsville Tennis Center, there are two youth-size baseball fields and two adult baseball and softball fields suitable for league play and competition from youth through adult.
Fitness Court
An outdoor Fitness Court installation near the cross-country course features a cross-training exercise platform and artwork of late American pop artist Keith Haring. There are free, bodyweight-based workouts in seven zones for ages 14 and older.
Raymond W. Jones Community Center
The former National Guard armory houses the offices of the city’s Parks & Recreation Department. It has been repurposed and features programs for seniors, including those with Parkinson’s disease.
For information, call 256-513-8164.
Bullet & Barrel
For those who are aiming for something different, Bullet & Barrel offers a clean, safe place to practice shooting sports with concierge customer service, curated firearms, and accessories.
With a state-of-the-art indoor shooting range, the “guntry club” atmosphere provides a welcoming experience for all levels of shooters.
For information, call 256-384-GUNS (4867) or visit bulletandbarrel.com.
U.S. Veterans Memorial Museum
The museum salutes the accomplishments of American military men and women, with an emphasis on World War I to the present. Through the timely exhibits, survivors and families can reminisce on their own experiences and those of parents, grandparents, and other close relatives. On display are more than 30 military air and ground vehicles, including the oldest surviving jeep, the Ford Pygmy. Admission is free to active U.S. military, including Reservists.
For information, call 256-883-3737 or visit www.memorialmuseum.org.
Back Forty Beer Co.
After a day of recreating or to wrap up a long day or long week with co-workers, family, and friends, Back Forty Beer Co. can provide the right atmosphere, food, and beverages for all tastes and ages.
The family-friendly brewery/eatery is just across the street from the soccer fields and features several big-screen TVs, live music, trivia, and plenty of green space out front where the little ones can run and play to their hearts’ content.
For information, call 256-494-8658 or visit backfortybeer.com.
