City Parks
Arab City Park
Easily one of the most beautifully-landscaped and meticulous city parks around, the Arab City Park features a swimming pool and splash pad, an 18-hole disc golf course, two playgrounds, a shaded walking trail (one lap = 6/10 of a mile · NO DOGS ALLOWED on this trail), an unshaded walking trail (1.82 miles long · dogs are permitted), a fishing pond (catch and release), four covered pavilions and an amphitheater (can be rented for parties and events), seven lighted tennis courts, a lighted skate park with basketball court, sand volleyball, three lighted softball fields and seven lighted baseball fields, not to mention Free Wi-Fi. Click here for a map of Arab City Park.
The Arab Historic Village is just behind the park and features ten original historic buildings that date back to the 1880’s – 1940’s era.
General Park Rules
All Arab City Parks are covered by an ordinance designed to protect the park atmosphere.
1. NO SMOKING in or around City Parks. This includes vaping and the use of e-cigarettes.
2. Pick up any and all pet waste and place inside one of the three waste stations along the concrete walking trail (at Arab City Park).
2. Vehicles must be parked in designated areas only.
3. Place all litter in trash containers.
4. Please ensure all areas used are left clean and orderly.
5. Fires may be built in grills only.
Annual Events
The Parks and Recreation Department hosts free public events throughout the year that appeal to people of all ages. In the spring, the annual Easter Egg Hunt takes place at the Thompson-Eidson Soccer Complex, and in the summer, there are three free movies played as part of our Movies in the Park summer movie series. One of the movies featured is a Dive-In Movie shown at the Arab City Pool, so you can watch it from your float in the cool, cool water! The summer movie line-up is announced each year in the spring. Both the egg hunt and Movies in the Park are sponsored by the Arab Parks & Recreation and the Arab Chamber of Commerce. Also every spring at the Arab Historic Village (adjacent to the park) is Back-When Day, held the last Saturday in April.
The SugarFest is an all-day event held each year on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend at Arab City Park. Then the following weekend (Saturday after Labor Day) the park hosts the Kansas City Barbecue Society (KCBS) and their Fire on the Mountain Cook-Off, which gives the grill masters an opportunity to show off and put their barbecue to a taste test. Then the very next weekend (2nd Saturday in September), the Arab Community Fair takes place at the park from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Arab Parks & Recreation
Arab Recreation Center
761 North Main Street
Arab, Alabama 35016
Phone: (256) 586-6793
Fax: (256) 931-7552
Info Line: (256) 931-7276
Eric Hayes, Director
Email Eric Hayes
Brian Camp, Assistant Director
Email Brian Camp
Pam Hayes, Executive Secretary
Email Pam Hayes
Arab City Park
Arab Historic Village
844 Shoal Creek Trail
Arab, Alabama 35016
Arab Disc Golf Course
Located at the corner of Shoal Creek Trail and Arab Thompson Road
Thompson-Eidson Soccer Complex
201 Plaza Drive
Arab, Alabama 35016
The park is also the backdrop for the wildly-popular Christmas in the Park holiday festivities, a truly magical and over-the-top display of holiday splendor, with more than 2,000,000 lights illuminating the night sky. Christmas in the Park kicks off each year on the Friday after Thanksgiving with the annual Lighting Ceremony, and lights are on every night through December 31, weather-permitting, and believe us when we say, you don’t want to miss out on this event! Come see what it’s like when 2,000,000 lights come on all at once throughout a natural setting such as the Arab City Park. It’s nothing short of absolutely breath-taking. The Arab High School Jazz Band adds to the feeling of magic and bliss by performing everyone’s favorite Christmas carols and holiday medleys. Admission is FREE.
For the full details, or for information regarding our Lighting Ceremony, entertainment line-up, and announcements and updates, please visit us on Facebook.
For information about Santa in the Park at the Arab Historic Village, visit the Historic Village page.
For Tournament or League play, please call the Arab Recreation Center.
Click here to download a printable score card.
Thompson-Eidson Soccer Complex
This soccer complex features four soccer fields, a six-lane track, and a one-mile walking trail in a natural setting. We added new locker rooms and shower facilities in 2018, and will be adding an ADA-Compliant playground in 2020.
Youth soccer is the fastest growing sport in the Arab area. The Arab Parks and Recreation Department, in cooperation with the Arab Soccer Association, offers AYSO fall leagues for ages 4 ½ to 19. Registration begins in early May each year and practice begins in late July. Games begin in September. For more information, please visit the AYSO website.
Beautification & Landscaping Efforts Throughout the City of Arab
The Arab Parks & Recreation Department is responsible for the landscaping and meticulous aesthetic of properties and rights-of-way all over our City, which most don’t even realize. Here are just a few of the beautifully-landscaped public spaces that are a result of this department’s hard work and attention to detail.
This custom wrought iron railing was built and installed in Historic Downtown Arab by the Parks & Rec Department.
These custom sliding barn doors were built and installed in Downtown Arab by the Parks & Rec Department, along with the custom trim-work and paint.
Arab Parks and Recreation is a department of the local municipal government, and is operated by full-time, part-time and seasonal staff. In addition, the department is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all City buildings and facilities, including lawn care and landscaping, and general facility repair and maintenance. This includes all City-owned properties, whether occupied or vacant, as well as the Historic Village, Tuttle Thompson Park, Downtown Arab landscaping and flower beds, public restrooms, and City medians and rights-of-way.
The Arab Parks and Recreation Department is associated with the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA), and the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA).
Arab City Hall
740 North Main Street
Arab, Alabama 35016
Monday - Friday
7:30a-4:30p
256.586.3544
Mission Statement
The City of Arab has a mission to foster and sustain a living environment that cultivates progressive awareness and the acceptance of diverse cultural differences, while maintaining a wholesome family atmosphere.
The mission also includes an improved quality of life through economic growth and development, continuously seeking ways to increase revenues, and the ongoing expansion of local Infrastructure.