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Maple Hill Park: Huntsville's Historic Playground

A captivating Huntsville park blending recreational fun with historical intrigue, adjacent to the historic Maple Hill Cemetery.

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Maple Hill Park in Huntsville, Alabama, offers a blend of recreation and history, situated next to the city's oldest and largest cemetery, Maple Hill Cemetery. Once a stone quarry, the park now features a playground, pavilion, and green spaces for relaxation and play.

A brief summary to Maple Hill Park

  • Monday 7 am-11 pm
  • Tuesday 7 am-11 pm
  • Wednesday 7 am-11 pm
  • Thursday 7 am-11 pm
  • Friday 7 am-11 pm
  • Saturday 7 am-11 pm
  • Sunday 7 am-11 pm

Local tips

  • Visit during daylight hours for a family-friendly experience and to fully enjoy the playground and picnic areas.
  • Consider exploring Maple Hill Cemetery adjacent to the park to learn about Huntsville's history and notable figures.
  • Be aware of local legends surrounding the 'Dead Children's Playground,' especially if visiting at night.
  • Check the Huntsville Pilgrimage Association's schedule for the Cemetery Stroll, a unique historical event.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Twickenham Historic District, head east on either Williams Avenue or Clinton Avenue. Continue onto McClung Avenue SE. Maple Hill Park will be on your left, just past Maple Hill Cemetery. The walk is approximately 15-20 minutes, offering a pleasant stroll through historic Huntsville. No costs are associated with walking.

  • Public Transport

    Huntsville's Orbit bus system has several routes that stop near Maple Hill Park. From the Huntsville Transit Center, take a bus that routes near downtown. Check the Huntsville Transit website or app for the most up-to-date route information and schedules. The one-way fare is $1 for adults, and $0.50 for seniors, students, and Medicare/Medicaid cardholders. From the bus stop, it's a short walk to the park.

  • Taxi/Ride-Share

    From downtown Huntsville, a taxi or ride-share service (Uber/Lyft) to Maple Hill Park will cost approximately $8-$12, depending on traffic and demand. The ride is typically 5-10 minutes. Direct your driver to 1351 McClung Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801.

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Discover more about Maple Hill Park

Maple Hill Park, located at 1351 McClung Ave SE in Huntsville, Alabama, is a captivating destination that seamlessly blends recreational opportunities with a rich tapestry of local history and intriguing folklore. This 8.64-acre park, open daily from 7 AM to 11 PM, offers visitors a unique experience set against the backdrop of Huntsville's oldest and largest cemetery, Maple Hill Cemetery. Originally, the land that now comprises Maple Hill Park served as a stone quarry from 1945 to 1955. After the quarry's closure, the land was generously donated to the City of Huntsville and, in 1985, was transformed into a public park. This transition marked the beginning of its dual identity as both a recreational space and a site intertwined with the historical narrative of the adjacent cemetery. The park features a well-maintained playground and a pavilion, making it an ideal spot for families and individuals seeking outdoor activities. The playground offers a safe and engaging environment for children, while the pavilion provides a covered space for picnics, gatherings, and community events. The open green spaces within the park invite visitors to relax, play, and enjoy the natural surroundings. What truly sets Maple Hill Park apart is its close proximity to Maple Hill Cemetery. Established in 1822, just a decade after Huntsville's incorporation, the cemetery spans nearly 100 acres and contains over 80,000 interments. It serves as the final resting place for five Alabama governors, five U.S. senators, ten U.S. congressmen, and numerous other figures of local, state, and national significance. The cemetery's historical importance adds a layer of depth and intrigue to the park, inviting visitors to reflect on the past while enjoying the present. The intertwining of the park and cemetery has also given rise to local legends and folklore. Perhaps the most well-known is the tale of the "Dead Children's Playground". This playground, located within Maple Hill Park, has gained notoriety for alleged paranormal activity. Stories abound of swings moving on their own, ghostly apparitions, and the faint sounds of children's laughter echoing through the night. Some attribute the playground's haunting to the children who succumbed to the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, while others whisper of a darker history involving child abductions in the 1960s.

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