Kelly Ingram Park, Cahaba Valley Travel Guide

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Explore Kelly Ingram Park in Birmingham, AL: a historic landmark commemorating the Civil Rights Movement and the struggle for equality.

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Kelly Ingram Park

Kelly Ingram Park, located in downtown Birmingham, Alabama, is a pivotal site in the American Civil Rights Movement. Once a staging ground for protests, the park now features sculptures and memorials that commemorate the struggle for equality and reconciliation [5, 9, 19].

A brief summary to Kelly Ingram Park

500 17th St N, Birmingham, Fountain Heights, Alabama, 35203, US
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Monday 8 am-8 pm
Tuesday 8 am-8 pm
Wednesday 8 am-8 pm
Thursday 8 am-8 pm
Friday 8 am-8 pm
Saturday 8 am-8 pm
Sunday 8 am-8 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Kelly Ingram Park.

Take the self-guided audio tour (dial 205-307-5455) for an enhanced understanding of the park's history and significance [3, 9].
Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the details of the sculptures and monuments [3].
Combine your visit with a trip to the adjacent Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the 16th Street Baptist Church for a comprehensive experience [3, 11].
Check the park's event schedule for local festivals and cultural events [3].

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Getting There

Walking

Kelly Ingram Park is located in downtown Birmingham, within easy walking distance of many attractions [4]. From the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the park is directly adjacent [3, 4]. From the 16th Street Baptist Church, walk south along 6th Avenue North to 17th Street North, then turn right. The park will be on your left [3, 4]. There are no costs associated with walking [4].
Public Transport

MAX Transit provides fixed-route bus service through the Birmingham area [3, 4]. Several bus routes stop near Kelly Ingram Park [3, 4]. Check the MAX Transit website for the most up-to-date routes and schedules [3, 4]. From a bus stop near 17th St N, it is a short 5-10 minute walk to Kelly Ingram Park [3, 4]. A single ride fare is $1.50 for adults [3, 4, 6, 8, 16].
Taxi/Ride-Share

Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Birmingham [3, 4]. A short ride from downtown hotels or attractions to Kelly Ingram Park will typically cost between $8 and $15, depending on traffic and distance [3, 4].
Driving

If driving, navigate to 500 17th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203 [3, 4]. Street parking is available around the park, but parking fees may apply [3, 4]. Parking garages are also located within walking distance [3, 4]. Expect to pay around $4-$15 for parking in a nearby garage for a few hours [3, 4].

Discover more about Kelly Ingram Park

Kelly Ingram Park, formerly West Park, is a 4-acre park in the Birmingham Civil Rights District, bounded by 16th and 17th Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues North [5]. The park served as a central gathering place for large-scale demonstrations during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s [5, 12]. It was here that Birmingham police and firemen, under orders from Public Safety Commissioner Eugene "Bull" Connor, confronted student demonstrators, many of whom were children, with mass arrests, police dogs, and fire hoses [5, 12].In 1992, the park was renovated and rededicated as "A Place of Revolution and Reconciliation" to coincide with the opening of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, which adjoins the park [5]. Today, visitors can explore the park's sculptures and monuments that depict the events of the Civil Rights Movement, including a statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a sculpture commemorating the four girls killed in the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing [5, 7]. The park also features a central fountain and a circular "Freedom Walk" with installations by artist James Drake [5, 7].Kelly Ingram Park provides a profound and moving experience, allowing visitors to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the Civil Rights Movement [3]. The park is an integral part of the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, enhancing its historical and cultural significance [3, 7, 10].