East Lake Park — Attraction in Birmingham

It's still a beautiful park and lake. Haven't been since my childhood as we lived in East Lake and that was THE park to take your children to go play. It's a mile all the way around the lake, which is cushioned with the tiny gravel. You can walk out onto to the pier above the water to fish or rest. There is one with a gazebo covering it for a shady, tranquil spot. There are benches on the shady side of the lake. Unfortunately, the giant spray of water is no longer there in the middle. I guess the pump stopped working. I saw tennis courts in one area and several playground areas for the kids. I found where they had planted new trees as some of the older ones are no longer there. During this visit, there is a giant tree that must have fallen during one of the recent storms. Would love to see this area cleaned up a little more and the lights that go around the lake replaced. The original stonework bridge that used to be the main entrance off 1st Ave is still there. There were city workers there replacing boards on one of the piers, so I know they are trying. This area is handicap accessible as it all flat terrain and there are small ramps in several places to get onto the walk way around the lake. Not sure about restrooms, but there is a nearby building with seating and picnic tables and I thought this also may have held the public restrooms as well. I'll have to make another trip to explore the rest of the park. There are several ways to get into the park. I got off at I-59 Oporto Madrid exit and turned onto 4th and then 80th and there were parking spots and easy access to the lake right there. But, I noticed many possible parking areas and ways into the park itself. As far as ♿️ accessibility, this would be fairly easy to get around. If you use a walker or cane, it is also accessible and level, so it would be an easy way to get some steps in with a pretty nice view of the water the entire time. This is also the 3rd park I have seen the yellow headed heron. Which seems unusual to me as I've never noticed or seen them in any area before until this year. But, a gentleman stopped his bike ride through the park to show me where their nesting. So, maybe it's not as uncommon as I thought or maybe I'm just starting to notice these beautiful birds. As you can see from my pictures, there are lots of ducks and their babies this time of year. They weren't afraid and just sat for their portraits. Except for one mallard that took flight right as I tried to take his picture. The turtles also were camera shy, but there were plenty sunning themselves on water logged branches. Would love to see some flowers added to this park to increase bees and...

I had a meeting with a client the other day and I had some time to kill. So, I remembered that Eastlake Park was right down the road and I decided that I would go over there and see it and go through my notes and prepare myself for the meeting I was about to have. There's a lot of construction going on and apparently they added a beach volleyball court. I was quite impressed and happy that they're actually putting money back into the park. I wish they would do something with the tennis courts. It's hard to believe that about 25 years ago we won the county Championship on those same courts. I know construction and revitalization does take time. I'm just glad to see that there's progress being made on the park and for that...

My dad lived just a few blocks away from the park in the 80s...so I always walked down there on the weekends I spent with him. My mom has photos of her and friends in the 60s when they actually would swim there...wow! I wish they would bring back the paddle boats and keep some of those red beaked geese on a leash cause when your a kid...well better not run outta that bread. Past year I've been bk several times and it's been pleasant and quiet. Only reason I deducted a star is that I think they could add a few more pavilions and picnic tables for gathering and shade! Also maybe even a community garden that would be...