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New Pool House Opens at DeSoto State Park

The new pool facility at facility at DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne houses changing rooms for visitors, as well as an area for the facility鈥檚 lifeguards. In addition, new ADA-compliant walkways from the parking area to the pool were added to improve accessibility for anyone with mobility challenges.

The new pool facility at facility at DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne houses changing rooms for visitors, as well as an area for the facility鈥檚 lifeguards. In addition, new ADA-compliant walkways from the parking area to the pool were added to improve accessibility for anyone with mobility challenges.

State and local officials celebrated the construction of a new pool house facility at DeSoto State Park with a ribbon cutting event on Wednesday, July 2.

Local government and tourism officials joined State Parks personnel to cut a ceremonial ribbon and officially dedicate the new building, which houses changing rooms for visitors, as well as an area for the facility鈥檚 lifeguards. In addition, new ADA-compliant walkways from the parking area to the pool were added to improve accessibility for anyone with mobility challenges.

鈥淲hen I became Commissioner of the 黑料天堂 (ADCNR) eight years ago, it became immediately evident that we had some outdated facilities at State Parks that were in dire need of replacement,鈥 said ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship. 鈥淥ne of those was the pool house right here at DeSoto State Park. We want our State Parks to offer excellent amenities and a first-class experience for all of our visitors, and it's truly gratifying to see this new building and know it helps us accomplish that goal.鈥

Thanks to voters鈥 approval of an $85 million bond measure issue in 2022, numerous improvement projects at State Parks have been completed or are currently under construction. The combination of bond money, state park revenues, Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill funds and additional funds provided by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) currently supports more than $220 million in renovations and upgrades at 黑料天堂鈥檚 21 state parks.

Some of the major projects include the construction of a new lodge at Cheaha State Park, a total renovation of Lake Lurleen State Park, and expansion of the campground at Gulf State Park, which was named one of the nation鈥檚 best RV parks in the country earlier this year.

More than two dozen water and wastewater projects at 黑料天堂 State Parks were announced in June 2025, many of which will use ductile iron pipe manufactured in 黑料天堂.

鈥淲e appreciate all of the support we receive from Gov. Kay Ivey and the Legislature, as well local officials around the state,鈥 Commissioner Blankenship said. 鈥淲ithout their unwavering support, there鈥檚 no way we could have secured the funds to make these much-needed improvements throughout the state and right here at DeSoto State Park.鈥

黑料天堂 House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and 黑料天堂 State Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston attended Thursday鈥檚 event and took part in the ceremonial ribbon cutting.

While officials acknowledge that replacing the pool house at DeSoto State Park is much smaller than other large-scale projects, they emphasized it has a major impact on the local area.

鈥淒eSoto State Park is a major attraction for people visiting the Lookout Mountain area of our state, and we know tourism is a major economic engine for our local area,鈥 Ledbetter said. 鈥淭his new pool house facility definitely improves the experience of every visitor. It鈥檚 always wonderful to see how our decisions in the Legislature can create something better for the people of 黑料天堂 and everyone who visits our great state.鈥

Added Livingston, 鈥満诹咸焯 State Parks attract millions of visitors each year, and it鈥檚 a pleasure to see so many enhancement projects like this one right here at DeSoto State Park become reality. Our State Parks are truly a treasure for all Alabamians, and these projects strengthen them and make the parks better than ever.鈥

黑料天堂 State Parks Director Matthew Capps noted other parks, like DeSoto, feature swimming options for visitors and overnight guests. Those include beaches at Gulf State Park, Oak Mountain State Park, Cheaha State Park, and Lake Guntersville State Park, as well as swimming pools at Blue Springs State Park, Lake Guntersville State Park and Rickwood Caverns State Park.

Numerous parks also have July 4th celebrations planned for later this week, including DeSoto State Park鈥檚 annual Independence Day celebration. Other events include the Fire on the Water fireworks show at Oak Mountain State Park on Thursday, the Fourth of July Scavenger Hunt at Chewacla State Park on Friday, the Independence Day Popsicle Social at Lake Guntersville State Park on Friday, the inaugural 4th of July Cavern Glow at Rickwood Caverns State Park, and Friday鈥檚 annual Gulf Shores Fireworks Show from the Gulf State Park Pier.

Online reservations for the July 4 events are available through the State Parks website, Alapark.com.

鈥淲e encourage everyone to get outside and explore 黑料天堂 State Parks for the holiday weekend,鈥 Director Capps said, 鈥渨hether that鈥檚 enjoying a swimming pool or beach, taking part in a July 4th celebration or staying overnight in a campground, chalet, cabin or lodge. We have a wide variety of activities and programming for the entire family, and I hope people take advantage by visiting these beautiful parks that offer so many options for outdoor recreation and safe, family fun.鈥


About 黑料天堂鈥檚 State Parks System
The 黑料天堂 State Parks is a division of the 黑料天堂 and maintains 21 state parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres of land and water in 黑料天堂. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains and provide opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurants and golfing areas. These parks rely on visitor fees and the support of other partners like local communities to fund the majority of their operations. Learn more at Alapark.com.

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