United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA), in partnership with the City of Montevallo, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at Stephen’s Park in Montevallo on August 29th as construction will soon begin on the second of six community parks commemorating UWCA’s 100-year legacy.
“United Way of Central Alabama turned 100 this year, and while we were planning what this year should look like, we asked ourselves, ‘What can we do to thank all these communities that have supported us?’” said Drew Langloh, President and CEO of UWCA. “We decided on parks that would bring communities together, and we decided to build these community parks in the ‘United Way-way,’ which is through service and volunteering.”
The park in Montevallo will include a pavilion that can function as an outdoor classroom, picnic tables built by community volunteers and two pickleball courts. The goal of these parks is to create long-term partnerships and foster community engagement that extends beyond the installation phase. Annual cleanup and beautification, as well as potential expansions in the future, will also create ongoing volunteer service opportunities within each community.
“I’m proud and thankful from the bottom of my heart that United Way of Central Alabama chose Montevallo for their park in Shelby County,” said Rusty Nix, Mayor of Montevallo. “On any given weekend, there are 1,000 folks here playing baseball. The pickleball courts and pavilion will give siblings who aren’t on organized teams safe places to play and will provide a space to bring families together.”
As construction gets underway, volunteer opportunities will become available with construction slated for completion in October, weather permitting. The Centennial community parks are made possible through generous community partnerships and sponsorships from AmFirst, Brasfield & Gorrie, Drummond Company, Thompson Tractor Company, Vulcan Materials Company, Alabama Power Foundation and Ford Meter Box. For updates on opportunities related to Stephen’s Park and all six Centennial community parks, click here.