Hillsdale Heights Park

I remember the neighborhood of Hillsdale from years and years ago, when it was still student housing for University of South Alabama. It was a pretty rough neighborhood back then, unfortunately there’s really not much left of the neighborhood at all it seems… At least the back half of it. They have gutted and taken away so many houses, presumably so that USA can bulldoze the whole place and turn it into a parking lot? Anyway, as someone who’s never been to this particular part of the neighborhood before, and was always curious about it, I was really surprised when I got here. Granted, I got here pretty early in the morning, on a freezing cold morning, so there weren’t exactly a lot of people. In fact I only saw one car in the parking lot of the community center! Not even sure if someone was in it. So, basically I had the run of the place. It was a beautiful morning, with frost on the grass and a fairly thick, low fog, so that the sun rays would cut through the trees and the rays would glisten in the fog. It was actually very lovely being here, and I’m surprised how huge this place is! There’s tennis courts, basketball courts – of course they could use some actual baskets! – areas where you could barbecue, playgrounds, softball fields, and a ton of other room just to run around. It felt like several acres worth anyway. And of course, it backs right up to the community center – which I will give my opinions on separately! Overall, it seems to me like it would be just such a great community place for people to come together and have a great time. Normally I might think it would be pretty dangerous, in this area of town, but the entire park was actually very well kept and really clean, & had been kept up more than most parks that I’ve seen in Mobile. I didn’t see any litter, or evidence of nefarious activities. It was just a very cool, chill place to go. Wish we had a park that nice near me!

Just met with extreme hostility and disrespect from the staff there about wearing a face rag to cover my face being that I left my mask home. So I just ended up leaving. They need to train their staff on how to deal with people professionally. I feel like my civil rights were just violated.

More funding is definitely needed for this Park. The grounds are not maintained. A quality park is the focal point of a community that has seen a lot of changes. Not all of it good. It is next to a good school.Give the community a push, you won't regret it.

Great community center

They do a Mardi Gras parade and event program each year for the community children, elderly and special needs. Absolutely wonderful!!! The lady that organizes it is an angel! I hope the facility continues to give her all the love and support she needs to continue such a great and valuable service to the community. It's a true and shining example of what a community center should be about. God bless her.nnHonestly brings tears to my eyes just thinking about the joy it brings to the people, especially the children. I encourage those in a position to do so, to support it.