PLACES TO RESTORE BODY AND SPIRIT IN DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE

From its earliest days, the Huntsville area has had an appreciation for nature and for nurturing body and spirit. John Hunt built his cabin at Big Spring about 1805, and subsequent generations preserved the area for the citizens. They made a park which continues to this day. As the area grew, so did the appreciation for places of recreation, rest and restoration in an increasingly busy world.

One of the more recent parks is Dr.William Hooper Councill Memorial Park which honors the legacy of Dr. Councill, founder of Alabama A & M University, and students of the high school that bore his name. This beautiful park on St. Clair Avenue was the location of Huntsville’s first public school for African-American students. The Alumni Association worked with architects to design a layout that would honor the school as well as being a beautiful park.

A statue of Dr. Councill created by Huntsville sculptor Dan Burch was commissioned by the City of Huntsville to honor the outstanding leader. His achievements were as a lawyer, newspaper editor, legislator and Alabama Supreme Court Justice, but his most notable achievements were as an Educator. His statue holds a book and represents education that can transform lives.

Another park, adjacent to Huntsville Junior High, is California Street Park. It is an active park with tennis courts, playgrounds and a pavilion.

To the North of California Park at a triangle of California and White Street is small, beautifully landscaped Halsey Park. The site was considered for removal to make a larger exit from Echols/White onto California Street. A number of residents considered the exit location to be hazardous. They persuaded the city powers to change the exit plan and they began planning another use of the piece of property. Neighborhood volunteers undertook to create and landscape a small park and donated funds for that purpose. Volunteers continue to work in this petite park and maintain it.

Another small space that almost fell victim to road planning in 2000 is the Wellman Family Park. It is a triangle between Holmes Street and Pratt and to the west of Five Points’ Star Market. Plans were underway to take out the green space to make larger turn lanes.

Research was begun by resident Susan Bridges who discovered that the original deed stipulated that if the City of Huntsville failed to maintain the land as a park, the property would revert to the grantors. The land was donated by Helen and W. I. Wellman and deeded to the city in 1915. Mrs. Bridges contacted the Wellman’s grandson, Mr. William Wellman Young, heir to the property, who wanted the property used for its original purpose. Today the park remains for the public and a city bicycle rental stand is on the property.

Moving back to the city center down Holmes, left on Greene Street, and left again on Randolph, is another small garden. In 1999 the site of the former Quick Home, the First United Methodist Church needed the space for the Wesley Worship Center. The church arranged to find someone to move and save the house, received permission from the city, and the house was removed to White Street in the Old Town

Historic District where it was restored. It was decided to make the space The Wesley Center Prayer Garden.

The Garden, a place of rest and repose, was designed, created, and is maintained by church members. It is in the Classical Garden design of a knot garden, dating to medieval times. It follows two axis lines dividing it into four corners to represent the four corners of the earth, or all creation. It is convenient to the many people who work downtown and often people take time to sit and refresh themselves in a lovely place.

Places of rest, repose, and recreation are located throughout Huntsville and surrounding areas. Check out the parks in your neighborhood and remember to look for the tiny parks, too. In the increased pace of urbanization of our area, such green spaces and places of rest are a balm to our spirits. It is important, too, to be aware of and alert to when these spaces are endangered of being lost.

We remember and appreciate those who have deeded us beauty and places for renewal and restoration. Let us be aware that we are the ones who will pass down these gifts to our children and our children’s children. n