Information
Landmark: Big Spring International ParkCity: Huntsville
Country: USA Alabama
Continent: North America
Big Spring International Park, Huntsville, USA Alabama, North America
Overview
In the heart of downtown Huntsville, Alabama, Big Spring International Park spreads across 12.5 acres, built around the clear, bubbling spring that once supplied the town’s drinking water.
Founded in the 19th century and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the park has grown into a peaceful stretch of green and a lively cultural gathering spot, where old stone fountains meet shaded paths and gifts from around the world.
The park’s story begins with Huntsville’s founding, when the clear, cold waters of Big Spring supplied life to both homes and shops.
Over the years, the land around the spring was transformed into a park, with winding paths, splashing fountains, and gardens bright with flowers.
Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places shows just how much it matters to Huntsville, both as a piece of its history and as a cultural touchstone, like the old brick façade that still catches the afternoon light.
Big Spring International Park is known for its distinctive global touches, celebrating Huntsville’s ties around the world and inviting visitors to appreciate diverse cultures.
One highlight is the vivid red Japanese bridge and the sweep of cherry trees, gifts from Major General Mikio Kimata in the 1960s, that burst into pale pink clouds each spring, honoring the city’s friendship with Japan.
The Norwegian lighthouse and fog bell, gifted in 1973, honor the city’s connection to Norway and bring a touch of maritime history to the park, where their weathered metal catches the morning light.
A German sundial and a weathered wooden bench from the UK add a quiet charm, deepening the park’s international feel.
The Marble Lion Statue, restored in 1995, stands near the Big Spring Fountain, marking the park’s opening and drawing visitors like a silent guardian in stone.
Shaded paths wind past tall oaks, making the park a place to unwind or dive into a game of frisbee.
Paved paths wind through flowered gardens and cool, leafy groves, circling quiet ponds and fountains where you can stroll, think, or spread a blanket for lunch.
At the heart of the park, the Big Spring Fountain catches the eye with its steady arc of water, while nearby benches and cool patches of shade invite you to sit and take it all in.
Tulips, azaleas, and the park’s famous cherry trees bloom in turn, adding bursts of color and beauty that keep the grounds inviting all year.
Big Spring International Park comes alive with community events and cultural gatherings, like the monthly Food Truck Rallies in warmer months, where the smell of sizzling tacos drifts through the air and neighbors swap stories over plates of local fare.
Concerts in the Park bring free live music to the outdoor stage, with everything from smooth jazz to bright bursts of contemporary sound, drawing neighbors together under the open sky.
Every late April, the Panoply Arts Festival fills the air with music, color, and the scent of fresh paint, bringing together artists, performers, and crowds to spark creativity and celebrate culture.
Big Spring Jam may be gone now, but it once packed the park with both hometown bands and big-name headliners, helping cement its place as a cultural hotspot.
Plans are already in motion to add about 2.4 acres to Big Spring Park East, bringing more space and better amenities-think wider walkways and shaded benches for warm afternoons.
Built on the old City Hall site, the expansion will feature a pavilion topped with a living green roof, extra restrooms, and landscaped open space, weaving the park more closely into the heart of downtown Huntsville.
Work is set to start in late 2025, and crews aim to wrap it up by the end of 2026, just as the first winter chill sets in.
You’ll find the park at 200 Church Street SW in Huntsville, AL, open every day from dawn to dusk, and it’s free to enter; smooth paved paths and easy-to-reach benches make it comfortable for wheelchair users, kids chasing squirrels, and anyone else who stops by.
Big Spring International Park blends history, lush scenery, and global influences, offering a quiet place to watch ducks glide across the water while also serving as the lively heart of downtown Huntsville’s festivals and gatherings.
Winding paths through manicured gardens, the soft trickle of fountains, and shelves of gifts from around the world invite visitors to unwind, learn, and discover new cultures.
Founded in the 19th century and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the park has grown into a peaceful stretch of green and a lively cultural gathering spot, where old stone fountains meet shaded paths and gifts from around the world.
The park’s story begins with Huntsville’s founding, when the clear, cold waters of Big Spring supplied life to both homes and shops.
Over the years, the land around the spring was transformed into a park, with winding paths, splashing fountains, and gardens bright with flowers.
Being listed on the National Register of Historic Places shows just how much it matters to Huntsville, both as a piece of its history and as a cultural touchstone, like the old brick façade that still catches the afternoon light.
Big Spring International Park is known for its distinctive global touches, celebrating Huntsville’s ties around the world and inviting visitors to appreciate diverse cultures.
One highlight is the vivid red Japanese bridge and the sweep of cherry trees, gifts from Major General Mikio Kimata in the 1960s, that burst into pale pink clouds each spring, honoring the city’s friendship with Japan.
The Norwegian lighthouse and fog bell, gifted in 1973, honor the city’s connection to Norway and bring a touch of maritime history to the park, where their weathered metal catches the morning light.
A German sundial and a weathered wooden bench from the UK add a quiet charm, deepening the park’s international feel.
The Marble Lion Statue, restored in 1995, stands near the Big Spring Fountain, marking the park’s opening and drawing visitors like a silent guardian in stone.
Shaded paths wind past tall oaks, making the park a place to unwind or dive into a game of frisbee.
Paved paths wind through flowered gardens and cool, leafy groves, circling quiet ponds and fountains where you can stroll, think, or spread a blanket for lunch.
At the heart of the park, the Big Spring Fountain catches the eye with its steady arc of water, while nearby benches and cool patches of shade invite you to sit and take it all in.
Tulips, azaleas, and the park’s famous cherry trees bloom in turn, adding bursts of color and beauty that keep the grounds inviting all year.
Big Spring International Park comes alive with community events and cultural gatherings, like the monthly Food Truck Rallies in warmer months, where the smell of sizzling tacos drifts through the air and neighbors swap stories over plates of local fare.
Concerts in the Park bring free live music to the outdoor stage, with everything from smooth jazz to bright bursts of contemporary sound, drawing neighbors together under the open sky.
Every late April, the Panoply Arts Festival fills the air with music, color, and the scent of fresh paint, bringing together artists, performers, and crowds to spark creativity and celebrate culture.
Big Spring Jam may be gone now, but it once packed the park with both hometown bands and big-name headliners, helping cement its place as a cultural hotspot.
Plans are already in motion to add about 2.4 acres to Big Spring Park East, bringing more space and better amenities-think wider walkways and shaded benches for warm afternoons.
Built on the old City Hall site, the expansion will feature a pavilion topped with a living green roof, extra restrooms, and landscaped open space, weaving the park more closely into the heart of downtown Huntsville.
Work is set to start in late 2025, and crews aim to wrap it up by the end of 2026, just as the first winter chill sets in.
You’ll find the park at 200 Church Street SW in Huntsville, AL, open every day from dawn to dusk, and it’s free to enter; smooth paved paths and easy-to-reach benches make it comfortable for wheelchair users, kids chasing squirrels, and anyone else who stops by.
Big Spring International Park blends history, lush scenery, and global influences, offering a quiet place to watch ducks glide across the water while also serving as the lively heart of downtown Huntsville’s festivals and gatherings.
Winding paths through manicured gardens, the soft trickle of fountains, and shelves of gifts from around the world invite visitors to unwind, learn, and discover new cultures.
