What’s a city without a place to run, sit, or bring a pooch? In Birmingham, there are so many places one can unwind that it can be overwhelming. We’ve compiled a list of Birmingham parks that anyone will appreciate. Especially your furry friends!
Text by Jonathon Page
Railroad Park
Nestled downtown, Railroad Park isn’t just a scenic place to get your jog on. Each summer, Railroad Park offers a place to listen to live orchestral music with Symphony in the Summer. It also hosts a number of races. For example, the Arthritis Foundation sponsors the annual Jingle Bell Run. The park also offers a slew of free exercise classes.
Rhodes Park
In the Highlands neighborhood, Rhodes Park offers a simple place where bringing a pet is always welcome. In fact, every summer Rhodes Park hosts a small festival called Doo-Dah-Day where guests are encouraged to bring their canine pals. Festival-goers can also enjoy local bands and buy art made by attendants.
Avondale Park
Avondale Park is a waterfront park. Not only does it have a sweet fishing spot, it’s also in walking distance from the coffee shops, restaurants, and bars of Avondale. Grab a cup of joe at Saturn’s coffee shop during the day. Then, at night, get a beer down the street from Avondale Brewing Company.
Red Mountain Park
With 14 miles of hiking trails, a zip line adventure and a herd of 150 goats on the grounds, Red Mountain Park has something for absolutely everyone. Challenge your friends to a treetop adventure on the Hugh Kaul Beanstalk Forest obstacle course. Or, enjoy 80 feet of rock climbing practice on the Kaul Adventure Tower, all while savoring some of Alabama’s most impressive natural beauty.
Rotary Trail
The newest of the downtown Birmingham parks, Rotary Trail is an excellent pit stop on your morning jog. A respite from the urban bustle, it has benches. There’s also an invaluable charging station where one can enjoy the interesting fauna and architecture of the park.