Point Mallard Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Point Mallard Park |
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| Type | Public Park |
| Location | Decatur, Alabama |
| Area | 500 acres (200 ha) |
| Created | 1970 |
| Operated by | City of Decatur |
| Status | Open all year (most open all year, aquatic center is open in summer) |
Point Mallard Park is a fun place in Decatur, Alabama. It covers about 500 acres (200 hectares) right by the Flint Creek shoreline. This park is open all year long. It is close to the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. The City of Decatur's Parks and Recreation Board manages the park.
Park History and Development
How Point Mallard Park Started
The idea for Point Mallard Park came from J. Gilmer Blackburn. He was the mayor of Decatur from 1962 to 1968. He saw special swimming pools in Germany that made waves. He thought a wave pool could bring many visitors to the United States.
J. Austin Smith, a pool maker from Ohio, helped design the pool. In 1967, a group called the Point Mallard Authority was created. Their goal was to build the new park without using city tax money. The land for the park was once used by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) for factories.
Building the Park
The city raised $3.8 million to start building the park. Construction began in September 1969. Point Mallard Park first opened on August 8, 1970. It had a wave pool, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, and a golf course.
Point Mallard Park and Big Surf in Tempe, Arizona, both say they built the first wave pool in the U.S. However, Big Surf's pool opened a little earlier in 1969. After these, no other wave pools were built in the country for eleven years.
Adding More Fun Features
A few years later, in 1972, a campground was added to the park. An outdoor ice rink opened in 1973.
Later, a tall diving tower was built. It has three platforms and is ten meters high. This tower is named after Jenny Chandler. She won a gold medal in diving at the 1976 Summer Olympics. She practiced at this pool before her big win. The U.S. Olympic Diving Team also trained here in 1976. Greg Louganis, a famous diver who won gold medals in 1984 and 1988, trained here from 1976 to 1979.
Special Events and Updates
On July 4, 1984, President Ronald Reagan gave a speech at the Spirit of America Festival at Point Mallard.
In 1987, the wave pool was renamed the J. Gilmer Blackburn Aquatic Center. This was to honor Mayor Blackburn, who first imagined the park.
In 2013, the park added a lazy river and two new speed slides. These are popular attractions for visitors. In 2016, the aquatic center welcomed over 165,000 visitors.
Fun Activities and Centers
Point Mallard Park has many things to do for all ages.
Point Mallard Golf Course
The golf course covers about 200 acres (81 hectares). It has 18 holes for playing golf. There's also a driving range where you can practice your swing. The clubhouse has restrooms, showers, a lounge, and places to buy snacks.
Point Mallard Campgrounds
The campgrounds have 210 spots for camping. About 115 of these spots have sewer hookups. The camping area is about 25 acres (10 hectares). There are laundry facilities and three pavilions with showers and restrooms.
Point Mallard Ice Complex
This complex is where you can go ice skating. It's a great place to cool off and have fun.
Jimmy Johns Tennis Center
This center has 12 outdoor championship tennis hard courts. It also has 4 outdoor championship tennis clay courts. For playing indoors, there are 2 hard courts inside a special bubble dome. There's also a backboard area for practice.
Spirit of America Soccer Park
This park has soccer fields, including the Ronald Reagan Field. It's a great place for soccer games and practice.
T.C. Almond Recreation Center
At this center, you can play basketball and table tennis. There are also racquetball courts and a weight room for exercise.
Bill J. Dukes Athletic Complex
This complex has batting cages and a driving range. It also features fields for baseball and softball games.
Outdoor Trails and Stage
You can enjoy hiking, jogging, and biking on the park's trails. The Spirit of America Stage hosts various events and performances.
Annual Celebrations and Festivals
Point Mallard Park is home to several exciting events each year.
- Alabama Jubilee: This big hot air balloon festival happens every year during Memorial Day Weekend.
- The Spirit of America Festival: This festival takes place on July 3rd and 4th, celebrating America's independence.
- The September Civil War Re-enactment/Skirmish: This event happens on September 4th and 5th. People dress up and act out historical Civil War battles.
