Northport Nears Lake Lurleen State Park Take Over?

Meetings and discussions continue with Northport's bid to take control of the local Lake Lurleen State Park.

The idea for the city take over first surfaced, as the state announced that budget cuts could lead to some of its parks to be shut down. As reports of meetings and discussions between parties involved continue to happen, the possibility continues to grow stronger. One of those meetings is happening Tuesday between Northport and the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber had control of the park when deeded to the state in the 1950s. The stipulation in the agreement, if the park closed, the chamber gets it back. So, if Alabama lets go of the park, they get it. But, they would turn around and hand it over to the city. So, it appears.

WVUA TV reported on comments from Northport Mayor Bobby Herndon:

Alabama is considering turning over Lake Lurleen State Park to the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce.  Mayor Herndon said there is a strong possibility the Chamber will then pass the park along to Northport.

If control of the park goes to Northport, leaders have big plans! The Northport Gazette reported on the possibilities as outlined by city administrator, Scott Collins:

The park could have a banquet room; rental cabins; splash pads; a swimming pool, water slides; zip line courses; rental boats; a golf driving range; a public shooting range; and volley ball, basket ball, horseshoe and tennis courts.

 

The following events could occur at the park: a Halloween Trick-Or-Treating/ Fall Festival, similar to Tannehill’s; a 4th of July Celebration, similar to Montevallo’s America Village; a Food Truck Festival/Food Crawl; a Drive-In Movie Summer Festival, like in the Homewood park; a Blue-Grass Festival or one of the stops for “Blues and Bar B Que;” BMX Races; 5K Runs or Obstacle course races, like the “Dirty Girl Mud Run;” Boy and Girl Scout Camping; Skiing, kayaking or fishing races/ tournaments; Trade Days/ Farmers Market, like at Tannehill or Kentuck; Lake Clean Up Day; and Geocaching, a treasure hunting game where you use a GPS to hide and seek containers.

Sounds like there are plenty of ideas to drive revenue to operate the park if Northport gets the control they seek.

Nature at its finest in our backyard, take a look around Lake Lurleen State Park with this Outdoor Alabama video.