East Side Park is designed as a transformative space, confronting its complex history and reclaiming it with a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. Once home to a segregated community pool and pool house, the site is being reimagined as a place where all individuals—regardless of ability—can engage fully with nature and one another.

A Landscape of Accessibility

With over 5,000 feet of wheelchair-accessible trails, East Side Park ensures that visitors of all mobility levels can explore and enjoy Alabama’s diverse landscapes. These trails wind through wetlands, prairies, meadows, savannas, and woodlands—evoking the state's varied ecoregions. The trails connect to immersive learning and sensory hubs designed to promote play, discovery, and engagement for visitors of all ages and abilities.

The park features an array of accessible experiences, including:

A sensory garden that stimulates sound, sight, smell, touch, and memory.
Edible permaculture gardens, inviting visitors to interact with Alabama’s native plants.
A large, inclusive nature playscape that accommodates a variety of play styles and physical abilities.
Birding areas and low-impact walking trails for those seeking tranquil, reflective experiences.

Inclusive Play for All

The natural play area, located between the woodland and savanna sections, offers a diverse range of experiences, ensuring that play is accessible to all. Features include:

Swinging on a reclaimed branch or an accessible basket swing.
Sliding down woodland hillsides.
Climbing boulders and tree trunks.
Crawling through natural tunnels.
Frolicking across undulating landforms.

To ensure ease of access, the play area is conveniently situated near parking and adjacent to the community pavilion, which houses restrooms and other essential amenities.

A Park Designed for Connection

The master plan for East Side Park is centered around connectivity, ensuring that visitors can seamlessly experience moments of play, learning, and interaction with nature. Trail circuits are designed to encourage exploration, leading visitors through elements such as:

A play grove and wet prairie bioswale.
A labyrinth of sensory-rich plantings that respond to wind, weather, and sound.
Interpretive nodes that provide historical and ecological context.

Intentional Design for Maximum Inclusion

Given the challenging terrain, the design team prioritized solutions that enable universal access. Key elements include:

Thoughtfully distributed accessible parking to minimize travel distances.
Hardscape materials that ensure smooth and safe movement for wheelchairs, strollers, and other mobility devices.
Strategically placed seating throughout the park to provide rest areas for visitors of all abilities.
The Community Pavilion, a welcoming hub offering essential amenities such as changing tables, charging stations, and an accessible water fountain.

Through these thoughtful design choices, East Side Park not only reclaims its past but also paves the way for an inclusive future—one where every visitor, regardless of background or ability, can fully engage with and enjoy the beauty of the natural world.