Recharge While the Kids Play at Sharon Johnston Park

Right outside of Huntsville, tucked away in New Market, you’ll find a hidden treasure just a couple of miles off the main road. As a little girl and a New Market native, many of my childhood days were spent playing at Sharon Johnston Park – visiting the playground, feeding the geese, riding bikes, fishing and walking the trails.

While the park itself, the stone and cedar fencing, still very much feel familiar to those days, the actual playground has seen wonderful improvements. Completely enclosed and with plenty of bench seating and several picnic tables, Moms can take a deep breath and relax as their kids play.

Sharon Johnston playground is a great place to play in New Market. — Plenty of shade allows parents to rest while kids can hang.

Sharon Johnston Park At-a-Glance

Location: 783 Coleman Rd, New Market, AL 35761 (Map)

Sharon Johnston Park Amenities: Playground, tot lot, twelve acre fishing lake, olympic size swimming pool, campground facilities, picnic shelters, pavilions, open air barbecue grills, shooting range, arena, soccer fields, disc golf course, 5k walking/running course, all facilities are handicap accessible, 20 minutes from Downtown Huntsville.

Over 250 acres provide lots of room to run and get the wiggles out.

Even when the playground is bustling with kids on a Summer day or after school, there’s a peacefulness under the beautiful, large trees that surround and nicely shade the area. You’ll find two separate but connected play areas – the Tot Lot (suited best for ages 2-5) and the main area (to accommodate older children). With a variety of swings, slides and play structures, every kid is sure to find something he/she will enjoy. The restrooms are conveniently located within the fenced area – a really nice perk to this playground. Evident by its cleanliness, the staff at SJP takes great pride in providing this wonderful and well-kept space to the community. Just beside the playground, you’ll notice an old village that’s sure to take you back in time – a church, a cotton gin, a depot, a trading post and even a jail! My two boys love exploring the little town, imagining what it would be like to live in the old days as a pioneer.

So, next time you find yourself with a couple of free hours to explore…pack a picnic, grab a good book or earbuds to listen to your favorite podcast and head out to New Market to enjoy Sharon Johnston Park!