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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’s lifeguards. In addition, new ADA-compliant walkways from the parking area to the pool were added to improve accessibility for anyone with mobility challenges.

“When I became Commissioner of the �������� (ADCNR) eight years ago, it became immediately evident that we had some outdated facilities at State Parks that were in dire need of replacement,” said ADCNR Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “One 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.”

Thanks to voters’ 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 ��������’s 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’s best RV parks in the country earlier this year.

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

“We appreciate all of the support we receive from Gov. Kay Ivey and the Legislature, as well local officials around the state,” Commissioner Blankenship said. “Without their unwavering support, there’s no way we could have secured the funds to make these much-needed improvements throughout the state and right here at DeSoto State Park.”

�������� House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and �������� State Senate Majority Leader Steve Livingston attended Thursday’s 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.

“DeSoto 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,” Ledbetter said. “This new pool house facility definitely improves the experience of every visitor. It’s always wonderful to see how our decisions in the Legislature can create something better for the people of �������� and everyone who visits our great state.”

Added Livingston, “�������� State Parks attract millions of visitors each year, and it’s 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.”

�������� 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’s 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’s 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.

“We encourage everyone to get outside and explore �������� State Parks for the holiday weekend,” Director Capps said, “whether that’s 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.”

About ��������’s State Parks System
The �������� State Parks is a division of the �������� and maintains 21 state parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres of land and water in ��������. 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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