Kicking and Dreaming
Kid-friendly places keep youngsters happy and active

Learning has never been so fun as during a visit to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

Madison County’s artful, scientific and sporty threads make it a place where children can weave dreams of skateboard tricks, soccer goals and space odysseys.

“For a community of this size, Huntsville’s got a whole lot to offer,” says Steve Hill, a Madison resident with three children ages 5, 8 and 12.

“I think it’s a great place to raise a family.”

Two of Hill’s children play soccer and the other takes ballet. All three look forward to family events such as the Scarecrow Trail at the Huntsville Botanical Garden and a performance of The Nutcracker by the Huntsville Ballet Company.

Madison County’s many parks, recreational programs and annual events make it very kid friendly, says Hill, chief executive officer of AEgis Technologies Group Inc. The Hills, like many local residents, also take advantage of the scientific treasure in their own back yard – the U.S. Space & Rocket Center.

“It is not only a treasure of space artifacts,” says Al Whitaker, media relations manager for the center, “but [it’s also] an educational facility.”

At the center, kids can catch a variety of permanent and temporary exhibits, watch cinematic adventures on a six-story IMAX screen, and ask questions, like the ever-popular, “How do astronauts go to the bathroom in space?” Whitaker says.

Through the center’s Space Camp program, children from fourth grade through high school are taught math, science and technology through simulated shuttle missions and other learning excursions.

Since it was founded in 1982, Space Camp has served about 450,000 children, many who come from the Huntsville area.

“That, over the years, equates into thousands,” Whitaker says.

While the space center might catch the starriest of young eyes, Huntsville Recreation Services is the center of the universe for local youth sporting activity.

“I think Huntsville is a leader in the state of Alabama and probably the southeast region in terms of quality of recreation facilities,” says Ralph Stone, director of the department that includes recreation services. “We have a mission to create a uniform standard of recreation facilities all across our city.”

Youth program offerings include basketball, baseball, softball, football, soccer, wrestling, gymnastics, tennis, dance and swimming, as well as programs for special-needs children. Young skateboarders can hone their skills at the Huntsville Skate Park, which opened in 1999 and was the first of its kind in Alabama.

The Huntsville American League, one of 11 youth leagues under the recreation services umbrella, plays at Fern Bell Park and offers baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, football, volleyball and cheerleading.

Dick Windsor, the league’s chairman, estimates the organization boasts some 550 participating families.

“It’s relaxing down at Fern Park,” says Windsor.

“You’ll make more friends down there playing different sports,” he says, “and they’re lifelong friends.”

Story by Stacey Hartmann
Photo by Wes Aldridge