Celebrating its first year of operation this month, Montgomery Whitewater Park boasts the world’s most advanced recirculating channel system, which simulates a natural river with class II-IV rapids to accommodate beginners, seasoned whitewater enthusiasts or professional athletes for a variety of whitewater activities including rafting, kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding. This spring the park hosted the U.S. Open Whitewater Championships and the 2024 Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross Olympic Team Trials and is slated to host several national competitions in 2025.
Apart from water activities, visitors can enjoy a variety of land-based attractions at the park including bike rentals, a ropes course and climbing wall, free concerts, an outfitter store and Eddy’s Restaurant and Bar. This fall, Montgomery Whitewater is set to host an exciting lineup of events, including Trivia Nights every Thursday, the Alabama Triple Crown freestyle kayaking competition on Aug. 10 and the Golden Hour Festival on Sept. 1, featuring live music, paddling excursions and kids' activities.
Montgomery Whitewater was made possible by the innovation and leadership of state, local and community leaders who formed the Montgomery County Community Cooperative District, which serves as the ownership entity of both the park and overlaying district. The Montgomery County Commission, the City of Montgomery and the State of Alabama jointly led this unprecedented partnership to enhance the quality of place for the River Region, drive economic development and boost tourism. Montgomery Whitewater Park has played a key role in attracting major investments from companies like Meta, which recently announced its plans to build a 715,000-square-foot data center in Montgomery, citing the park's significance in the area’s progressive development as a key factor.
To see the full list of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places 2024, visit https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2024/. For more information on Montgomery Whitewater Park, visit https://montgomerywhitewater.com/.
*Editor’s Note: For images and B-roll of Montgomery Whitewater Park, please visit: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/bHL3BVrVIg (Credit: Montgomery Whitewater Park)
###
About Montgomery Whitewater ParkMontgomery Whitewater Park is a 120-acre state-of-the-art recirculating whitewater park and outdoor adventure center located off I-65 in Montgomery, Alabama offering a variety of outdoor lifestyle activities both in and out of the water for all ages and skill levels. Developed and operated by Southern Whitewater Design Group for the Montgomery County Community Cooperative Group, this park was conceived and developed as a large-scale public-private investment to catalyze economic growth and provide health-focused recreation and employment opportunities. More information is available at Montgomerywhitewater.com.
Media Contact:
Meg Lewis / Claire Hanley
843-647-7090 / 843-410-5885
megl@louhammond.com / claireh@louhammond.com
Quotes
Jeffrey Gustin, Chief Executive Officer for Montgomery Whitewater Park
“We are thrilled and honored to be included in such a prestigious roundup, surrounded by so many extraordinary destinations worldwide. We share this accolade with the partners and leaders who envisioned the park, our staff and the community that has embraced this big idea to make life better through an active outdoor lifestyle.”
Doug Singleton, Montgomery County Commission Chairman
“Montgomery Whitewater Park continues to be the catalyst for growth across Montgomery County. From the Olympic Trials to the U.S. Open, the park attracts visitors from across the nation and world. To be named one of the World’s Greatest Places by TIME is a testament to the quality of the facility, amenities offered and hospitality provided. Montgomery County is honored to host this facility and we look forward to building upon its continued success with new attractions and increased development along Maxwell Boulevard in the coming months.”
Carmen Moore-Zeigler, Montgomery County Commissioner for District 2
“In just its first year of operation, Montgomery Whitewater Park has already played a major role in new business recruitment and has put Montgomery on the world stage through events like the Olympic Trials. To be recognized by TIME as one of the World’s Greatest Places, not just for the fun of the experience, but for the positive impact the park has on the community is something all Montgomerians can be proud to claim.”
Lee Sentell, Alabama Tourism Department Director
“We are so pleased to see Montgomery Whitewater, one of the state’s most impressive new attractions, named among many of the greatest destinations and travel experiences in the world. The park is a game changer for tourism in its region, and recognition like this shows travelers that Alabama has an incredible variety of world class experiences to discover.”
Ellen McNair, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce
“Montgomery Whitewater is more than a local treasure — it is an outdoor recreation resource that adds a new dimension to our strategic economic development efforts on a statewide level. Montgomery Whitewater serves as a model to make Alabama a more attractive location for high-skill workers and enhance the environment for entrepreneurship and technological innovation in our state.”
Anna Buckalew, President and CEO of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce
“Montgomery Whitewater Park is a multi-faceted asset to our community, providing a world-class outdoor lifestyle attraction for both residents and visitors, a venue for national and international competitions and a powerful attractor for businesses and talented people. We are proud to add this well-deserved accolade to the list of reasons why Montgomery is a premier place to live, build a business or vacation.”
