April 24 is Picnic in the Park Day
Alabama’s Governor Bob Riley has signed a proclamation making Saturday, April 24 "Picnic in the Park Day."
Visit an Alabama State Park on this day for an open house. Many parks have special events and discounts planned. This family-oriented occasion is a good time to learn more about what your Alabama State Parks have to offer. So bring along a picnic to enjoy with your family and spend a day in the park!
Lakeside Weddings Popular at Lakepoint
This is the third in a series highlighting wedding locations in Alabama State Parks.
After undergoing a major renovation, Lakepoint State Park’s lodge and convention center reopened in 2009. Lakepoint has nine separate areas for meetings, banquets, weddings, receptions and reunions. Several of them overlook the water.
The Lakeside Terrace is the most popular wedding venue in the park. The terrace overlooks Lake Eufaula and is adjacent to The Water’s Edge Restaurant.
Couples are advised to book early for weddings and receptions as weekends fill up fast, especially spring dates.
Lodging options for guests include 101 guest rooms, including six suites. Eight cottages adjacent to the lake and 29 cabins are also available for the wedding party and guests.
For relaxation before or after the event, the park’s 18-hole golf course is open seven days a week. Or, enjoy some great fishing in Lake Eufaula.
For more information on wedding and convention facilities contact Lakepoint Resort State Park’s sales office at 1-800-544-5253 or 334-687-8011 or visit the web site.
RECIPE OF THE MONTH - Banana Pudding
From Lakepoint’s The Water’s Edge Restaurant — Serves 6 to 8
1 large bag of vanilla wafers (60 to 70)
3 Tbsp cornstarch
1 C granulated sugar
¼ tsp salt
2 12 oz. cans evaporated milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
3 Tbsp butter cut into pieces
1½ tsp vanilla extract
5 ripe but firm bananas, cut into ¼-inch slices
1 8 oz container frozen non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
Line bottom and sides of a 2 ½ quart glass dish or bowl with about 40 wafers. Combine sugar, cornstarch, and salt in medium sauce pan. Gradually stir in milk to dissolve cornstarch. Whisk in eggs, add butter and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture begins to thicken. Reduce heat to low, simmer and cook, stirring constantly until desired thickness. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract, and let cool slightly. Pour half of pudding over wafers. Top with half of bananas. Layer remaining wafers and bananas. Pour remaining pudding over layers. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Top with whipped topping before serving.
Upcoming Events
4/24/2010 — Lake Guntersville State Park - Nest Box Monitoring
4/24/2010 — All Alabama State Parks - Picnic in the Park Day
5/1/2010 — DeSoto State Park - 18th Annual Wildflower Saturday Come and spend the day with DeSoto’s naturalist and many other botanists for this incredible day of flora.
5/1/2010 — Oak Mountain State Park - Reptiles and Amphibians Are reptiles slimy? Are snakes bad? Join park naturalist Emily Cohen and find this out and much more.
5/8/2010 — Oak Mountain State Park - Wonderful Wetlands Join park naturalist Emily Cohen and learn about wetlands.
5/8/2010 — Lake Guntersville State Park - Mother's Day Card Making & Crafts
5/15 - 5/22 — Chewacla State Park - Annual AMBA Bicycle Adventure
5/15/2010 — Lake Guntersville State Park - Wildflowers of Lake Guntersville Part I A wildflower presentation will be held showcasing plants blooming during spring to early summer along the banks and trails of Lake Guntersville State Park. A guided nature walk will follow.
5/15/2010 — DeSoto State Park - Landscaping with Native Plants DeSoto State Park Naturalist Brittney Hughes will be teaching the effectiveness and benefits of using plants native to Alabama for landscaping your yard.
5/15/2010 — Oak Mountain State Park - Mammals of Alabama Central Alabama has 53 different mammals in the area. Join park naturalist Emily Cohen and learn the interesting facts about the state’s mammals.
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Did you know that several Alabama State Parks have dog-friendly cabins? Dogs are always allowed in the campground and now selected cabins have been designated as dog-friendly. A small additional fee is charged for each dog. Dogs assisting the disabled are welcome in all facilities at no additional charge. See our Dog-Friendly page for more information.
Mother’s Day –
May 9, 2010
Treat that special mother and entire family to a Mother's Day meal at the Alabama State Park restaurant nearest you!
Cheaha State Park - Mother's Day Lunch Buffet
DeSoto State Park - Mother's Day Breakfast and Lunch Buffet
Joe Wheeler State Park - Mother's Day Lunch Buffet
Lake Guntersville State Park - Mother's Day Brunch Buffet
Lakepoint State Park - Mother's Day Lunch Buffet
Lodging, Dining and Golf Specials
Looking for a deal at an Alabama State Park? Look no further! We’ve placed all our specials and packages on one convenient page for easy viewing. You’ll find links to lodging, restaurant and golfing specials.
Passport to Fitness
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is an eager participant in the Passport to Fitness program. This project was developed by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs to promote Alabama’s many fitness opportunities.
Each of the participating State Parks will provide you with an official Passport Guide that contains maps of the trails and points of interest. To make things even more fun, a section within the guide called the “Passport Stamp Page” can be presented, on location, for each featured walk you complete to receive an official passport stamp. As you collect the stamps, you will be walking your way to fitness and better health!
For more information and a listing of all the participating state parks and communities, please visit the Alabama Passport to Fitness web site.
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