GARDEN CITY, Ala. – Garden City has been awarded a $297,751 grant to build eight recreational vehicle campsites and a connecting trail at Garden City River Park.
The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs announced the award Oct. 21 through the federal Recreational Trails Program.
The town will provide $74,438 in matching funds, bringing the announced grant and local match to $372,189.
Each campsite is planned to include water, sanitary sewer and electrical service. The project also calls for a trail connecting the campsites to existing park amenities and the kayak launch.
Garden City’s grant application places the project at 1310 Old Highway 31 South in the Cullman County portion of the town. The application describes approximately 215 feet of new walkway connecting the campsites with shelters, recreation facilities and existing trails.
The application also identifies the work as redevelopment of approximately 2 acres within the existing park. A Sept. 8, 2025, letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said the work as described would not require a Department of the Army permit under the Clean Water Act or Rivers and Harbors Act.
The award follows earlier improvements at the riverfront park. The Tribune reported in July 2024 that the town had added restrooms, a hiking trail, a kayak launch, parking and pavement while completing streambank stabilization.
Those improvements were supported through restitution funds connected to a 2019 wastewater discharge and fish kill on the Mulberry Fork.
The application submitted in September 2025 contained an earlier estimated project cost and a preliminary schedule that anticipated construction during 2026.
ADECA’s Oct. 21 award announcement did not provide a revised bid date, construction start or opening date.
No contractor has been publicly identified for the campsite project.
