Outdoor enthusiasts MORGAN COUNTY PARKS have long enjoyed the challenge of hunting in Charles H. Sparkman Park West: W. Park Road, Neal. Multipurpose and around Morgan County. A variety of wildlife, including ball fields, playground, walking trail, pavilions. (256-773-5149) turkey and whitetail deer, and waterfowl can provide many Huskey Park: Florette Road, Somerville. Multipurpose ballfields, hours of sporting pleasure. playground, walking trail, pavilions, Youth Center and a log cabin for rentals. (256-778-7777) The Alabama Department of Conservation, Game & Fish Division, North Park: Upper River Road, Priceville. Multipurpose ballfields, playground, walking regulates seasons, bag limits and license fees for deer, turkey and small game. trail, pavilions, playground. (256-301-1017) Hunting licenses are available throughout Morgan County at many sporting good camping, Dixie Youth Baseball Fields: fishing and hiking are South Park: Culver Road, Falkville. Softball fields, playground, walking trail, pavilion, (Located at Point Mallard.) One softball and two stores and from the License Commissioner (256-351-4770) at the Morgan County Senior Citizens Building. (256-784-5909) Courthouse in Decatur. permitted in the Sipsey but motorized baseball fields, with concessions buildings. vehicles of any kind, including all-terrain vehicles, are Flint City Park: Austinville/Flint Road. Five acres, multi-use, four tennis courts, one Licenses, complete permit requirments and state hunting regulations are not allowed. CITY OF HARTSELLE PARKS (256-773-2581) baseball field, one picnic shelter. available from the License Unit, Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries Division, Bankhead is a popular destination for turkey and white tail deer hunting. Legion Ball fields: Railroad Street. Softball fields, playground. Fort Decatur Center: 610 Fourth Avenue SE. complete recreation center with basketball Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources by calling 1-888- For complete information on hunting in Bankhead National Forest contact, Sparkman Civic Center: Corner of Hwy. 31 & Nanceford Road. Gymnasium, basketball, courts, racquetball court, weight room, meeting rooms, showers. 848-6887 or online at www.dcnr.state.al.us. USDA-Forest Service at (205) 489-5111. racquetball, weight room, game room, aerobics, senior citizens activities, classes, Gale Montgomery Park: Poole/Valley Road. Five acres, four baseball fields. Successfully completing an approved hunter education course is mandatory rental facilities. Jack Allen Recreation Complex: 2616 Modaus Rd SW in Decatur. Includes nine for all first time hunting license buyers born on or after August 1, 1977. Hunting Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge: Sparkman Park: Behind the civic center. Ball fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, walking international size, lighted soccer fields; concession stands and bathrooms.. licenses are required for residents 16 years or older and under 65 years of age Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is Alabama’s oldest and largest national trail, pavilions, picnic tables and grills. Jimmy Johns Tennis Center: (Located at Point Mallard.) The tennis center includes 12 and non residents 16 years of age and older. hard courts, four clay courts, and two indoor hard courts. The pro shop includes a lounge refuge. Public hunting on Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge is permitted on and restrooms. Bankhead National Forest: approximately 18,000 acres. CITY OF DECATUR PARKS (256-341-4930) Specific hunting dates are established each year for squirrel, raccoon, possum, Adventure Park: Beltline Road. Community-built park with a special ship-themed Point Mallard Park: is a 750-acre site designed to provide total family recreation Bankhead National Forest, located just southwest of Morgan County, offers opportunities throughout the year. The J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center (open daily some 180,000 acres of natural wildlife habitat and recreation areas. The forest rabbit, quail and deer. Hunting is allowed Monday- Saturday. playground. during summer months) is the centerpiece of the park. The 35-acre water theme area offers also includes Alabama’s first National Wilderness Area (Sipsey Wilderness) For complete hunting guidelines on the refuge, contact: Wheeler National Aquadome Park: Forty acre park is located at 5th Avenue and 8th Street SW, Decatur. The America’s first Wave Pool, the Duck Pond and Squirt Factory kid’s pools, speed flumes, and that encompasses over 26,000 acres of untouched forest. Hunting, as well as, Wildlife Refuge, (256) 350-6639 or visit www.wheeler.fws.gov. recreation center features a domed pool used year-round. There are also meeting rooms more! A new, year-round ice rink is open for public sessions, private lessons, hockey and for various activities. The complex includes three lighted tennis courts, two baseball fields, private parties.The Park also features a scenic 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course; concessions building with restrooms, one Dixie Boys Field, and one softball field. a 25-acre wooded campground; the Strike Zone driving range and batting cages; lighted Austinville Park: Lamar Street at Spring Avenue S.W. Two acres, multi-use, two tennis tennis courts; ball fields; a recreation center; and an amphitheater. courts, playground. Rhodes Ferry Park: Harborview/Market/Oak NE. Seven acre riverside park that hosts Carrie Matthews Park: Memorial Drive/6th Street NW. Five acres, multi-use, two tennis many local annual festivals. Includes a multi-use building, playground, two picnic shelters. courts, playground, one picnic shelter, pool, recreation center. Wilson Morgan Park: Located on Sandlin Road and the Beltline. Includes 130 acres, a The Decatur Bike Trail is flat and paved and connects to the Pt. Mallard Park the trails to make them more convenient to hikers. Cedar Ridge Park: Danville/Moadus SW. Ten acres, multi-use, two baseball fields. large lake, batting cages, two developed playgrounds with an exercise cluster, six lighted gravel trail. The trail courses through Decatur’s Downtown area, two historic Beaver Dam Creek Swamp is a national landmark with its bottle-shaped Tupelo Chestnut Grove Park: Cedarhurst Drive SW. Five acres, play park. softball fields, six lighted tennis courts, a soccer field, a 1.25 mile walking/jogging trail, districts and into the SW portion of the city ending at the Aquadome Recreation Gum trees, an aquatic tree. The trail is approximately a half-mile in length. Decatur Hospitality Nature Park: U. S. Hwy. 31 N. Site #17 on the North Alabama and a picnic pavilion. Center. The compressed needled Cypress tree is proudly displayed on the Cypress T. C. Almon Recreation Center: Located at Point Mallard Park. Includes basketball court, Birding Trail featuring a viewing kiosk Site. The park, and nearby US Hwy 31 Causeway and Point Mallard Park, on Point Mallard Drive, offers a 3 mile (round-trip) gravel Pond’s half-mile trail. racquetball court, two meeting rooms, kitchen, recreation room, Decatur Boat Harbor provide a great opportunity to scan the waters of the Tennessee River hiking/biking trail along the banks of the Tennessee River and Flint Creek. shower and locker facilities. There are two trails located at the Environmental Study Area. One trail is a for winter waterfowl and shorebirds. At the day use park, be sure to check out the walking Benches are located along scenic points. The trail is open daylight hours, daily. half-mile, the other a mile long. It is a bottom-land, hardwood-type forest. trail which winds through an impressive bottomland hardwood forest. The Wheeler Refuge, which stretches for 20 miles along the Tennessee River, Dancy Bottom Woodland Trail is a one-way trail with boardwalks, rest areas Delano Park: Covers 23.5 acres at Gordon Drive, Prospect Drive and Somerville Road includes six public boat ramps, 112 miles of gravel roads and a series of hiking and gravel trails. It is two miles long and has a bridge and an active beaver dam. SE, Decatur. Includes restrooms, picnic shelters, lighted tennis courts, basketball goals, trails running through three counties. The four major trails in the refuge are the For additional information on facilities and activities at Wheeler National playground, Splash Pad, swings, benches, softball field, baseball field, a garden, and a one Cypress Pond Trail, the Environmental Study Area, Dancy Bottom Woodland Trail Wildlife Refuge contact the Givens Wildlife Interpretive Center, or visit mile walking track. and Beaver Dam Creek Swamp. Boardwalks and rest areas have been added to www.wheeler.fws.gov. AMERICAN INN - 2617 Highway 31 S.; Decatur, AL 35601; (256) 353-7853 BEST WESTERN RIVER CITY HOTEL - Beltline Rd. at 1305 Front Ave., Decatur, AL 35603; (256) 301-1388, (800) 937-8376; www.bestwestern.com COMFORT INN & SUITES - 2212 Danville Rd., Decatur, AL 35601; (256) 355-1999, (888) 568-1999; www.choicehotels.com/hotelal204 COUNTRY INN & SUITES BY CARLSON - 807 Bank Street NE, Decatur, AL 35601; (256) 355-6800, (800) 456-4000; www.countryinns.com/decatural COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT - 1209 Courtyard Circle SW, Decatur, AL 35603; (256) 355-4446, (800) 321-2211; www.courtyard.com/hsvdc HAMPTON INN - 2041Beltline Road SW, Decatur, AL 35601; (256) 355-5888, (800) 426-7866; www.Hampton-inn.com HOLIDAY INN HOTEL AND SUITES - 1101 6th Avenue NE, Decatur, AL 35601; (256) 355-3150, (800) 553-3150; www.hidecaturalabama.com HOME-TOWNE SUITES EXTENDED STAY - 2125 Jameson Place SW, Decatur, AL 35601; (256) 308-0811; www.htshotel.com JAMESON INN - 2120 Jameson Place SW, Decatur, AL 35601; (256) 355-2229; Located in the heart of (800) 526-3766; www.jamesoninns.com Alabama’s Tennessee River Valley LAQUINTA - 918 Beltline Road, Decatur, AL 35601; (256) 355-9977, (800) 228-5150 the North Central portion of the Birding Trail is ideal Point Mallard Park MAGNOLIA MOTEL - 1101 6th Avenue SE, Decatur, Al 35601; (256) 353-5102 for observing longtime resident species or short-term, migratory Decatur. (256) 341-4921, MICROTEL INN AND SUITES - 2226 Beltline Rd. SW, Decatur, AL 35603; visitors. With the presence of Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge running between www.pointmallardpark.com. (256) 301-9995, (888) 771-7171; www.microtelinn.com and is Decatur and Huntsville, birds and other wildlife are guaranteed on any visit. MOTEL 6 - 810 6th Ave. NE, Decatur, Al 35601; (256) 308-0312; based on Open year round. Located on 200-acres of wooded flatlands, Point www.motel6-decatur-alabama.com Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, headquartered in Decatur, was observations by refuge personnel Mallard’s golf course has been ranked as one of the best three public NITEFALL MOTEL - 2611 Highway 31 S, Decatur, AL 35603; (256) 353-0481 established in 1938 as a wintering area for ducks, geese and other migratory and ornithologists. PARKWAY INN - 1317 E Hwy. 67, Decatur, AL 35603; (256) 353-0333; (800) 272-6232 birds. The refuge’s great diversity of habitat makes the refuge fertile grounds courses to play in the state and Good Sam Camping Club has tagged it Near the Interpretive Center is a large glass enclosed observatory STAY LODGE EXTENDED STAY - 2616 Hwy. 31 S., Decatur, Al 35603; (256) 353-7290 for enjoying the great activity of bird watching, animal as one of its Five Great RV Golf Courses in the nation. Included along overlooking an 18-acre pond where waterfowl can be studied during their winter STUDIO 9 - 440 Johnston Street SE, Decatur, AL 35601; (256) 355-8504 observation and nature photography. migration. this 7,064-yard course are water holes, sand traps, long fairways, and Priceville Hotels A complete checklist of birds, both common Events are regularly scheduled by the North Alabama Bird Watchers Society. doglegs designed around the contour of the land. Par 72, U.S. Golf BUDGET INN - 7070 Hwy. 67 South, Priceville, AL 35603; (256) 350-7055 and rare, that can be found at Wheeler For current events, call (256) 883-9288 or (256) 883-8487. Association rating from the championship tees of 73.2 and a slope COMFORT INN - 3239 Pt. Mallard Parkway, Priceville, AL 35603; (256) 355-1037, Wildlife Refuge is available at the Givens The refuge also supports an interesting variety (some 121) of species of (800) 228-5150; www.choicehotels.com/hotel/AL155 Interpretive Center located rating of 124. Tee times are accepted up to three days in advance. mammals, reptiles and amphibians that have been identified at the refuge. DAYS INN - 63 Marco Dr., Priceville, AL 35603; (256) 355-3297, (800) 329-7499 on U.S. Hwy 67, just off New course design, clubhouse, fully equipped pro shop, restrooms They may be observed, and photographed, in a variety of habitats including SUPER 8 MOTEL - 70 Marco Dr., Priceville, AL 35603; (256) 355-2525, Interstate 65 at Exit 334. sloughs, pine plantations, bottomland hardwoods, and shower facilities, a lounge area and patio with picnic tables (800) 800-8000; www.super8.com This checklist includes and caves. overlooking the signature 18th hole, and the Mallard Grill. Hartselle/Falkville Hotel-Motel 285 species of birds, COUNTRY HEARTH INN - 1800 Dixie Lane, Hartselle, AL 35640; (256) 773-0180, including a large variety Cedar Ridge (800) 773-8653; www.countryhearth.com of songbirds, Decatur. (256) 353-4653. EXPRESS INN - 1601 Hwy. 31 South, Hartselle, AL 35640; Phone/FAX (256) 773-3000; Rolling terrain and lakes make for a challenging day on this public www.expressinnmotel.com course. Par 72 link encompasses 18-holes and some 5,913-yards. Open LACON MOTEL - 6685 Hwy. 31, Falkville, AL 35622 ; (256) 734-0411; [email protected] year round. QUAIL CREEK - 233 Quail Creek Dr., Hartselle, Al 35640;; (256) 784-5033, Quail Creek Resort (256) 221-7238, (888) 784-5033; www.quailcreek.com Hartselle. (256) 784-5033, www.quailcreek.com. Campgrounds 500 acres of manicured greens and fresh water ponds. In addition to the POINT MALLARD PARK - 1800 Point Mallard Drive, Decatur, AL 35601, (256) 351-7772. A Good Sam park. 210 sites on 25 wooded acres. Electricity (50 amp), sewer 18-hole, par 71 course, Quail Creek also offers practice putting greens, and water, dump station, camp store, showers, picnic pavilion. Campground- chipping area and a Pro Shop. waterpark discount; 10% Good Sam Discount.