Pelham has reason to celebrate, and we plan to celebrate all year long! Pelham Parks & Recreation has been honored with the Alabama Recreation and Parks Association (ARPA) Agency of the Year Award, recognizing outstanding service, innovation, and impact across the community. Pelham's population puts it in the large city category, meaning consideration for this award, highlighting a year's worth of accomplishments, was against cities the size of Hoover, Mobile, Huntsville and Birmingham.

If you’ve ever spent a summer evening at a concert in the park, cheered on a child at a ballgame, walked the trail at Pelham City Park, or joined neighbors for a festival weekend, then you already know that Pelham is a community that shows up for recreation. It's about more than fields and facilities—it’s about creating places where life happens.

Across the city, the department maintains more than 120 acres of parkland, offering residents beautiful spaces to play, relax, exercise, and connect. Whether it’s a neighborhood park, a busy athletic complex, or a peaceful green space, Pelham’s parks are designed to serve everyone.

At the heart of it all is Pelham City Park, a hub for sports, community gatherings, splash pad fun, trails, and year-round recreation.

And indoors, the Pelham Recreation Center continues to be one of the city’s most popular destinations. Opened in 2018, the Rec Center features basketball and volleyball courts, a walking track, fitness studios, cardio and weight equipment, and multipurpose spaces that support wellness for all ages. Membership has now grown to more than 3,000 members, showing just how much residents value having high-quality recreation right here at home.

Pelham is also continuing to grow with exciting new investments, including a new ballpark facility, an outdoor court supporting the city’s NHL Street Hockey league, and the opening of a new disc golf course.

From youth sports serving more than 2,300 participants to a thriving Senior Center, year-round community events, and continued investments in parks and facilities, Pelham’s commitment to recreation continues to grow. The department also celebrated major milestones this year, including breaking ground on a new ballpark facility, opening an outdoor court for NHL Street Hockey, and expanding wellness opportunities at the Recreation Center.

And that’s not all—Pelham earned two additional state-level awards in 2025. A Very Special Easter Egg Hunt was named Innovative Event of the Year, and Parks & Racquet Club Superintendent Grant Sasser was recognized as Park Professional of the Year.

One of the best parts of living in Pelham is how often there’s something happening—something fun, welcoming, and family-friendly. This recognition reflects the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and residents who make Pelham such a vibrant place to live.

To learn more about this exciting achievement, look for the full feature article in the upcoming issue of Pelham Pathway magazine!