Improvements celebrated at Little River State Forest, Claude D. Kelley Recreational Area
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The lush forest overlooking the shimmering lake at Little River State Forest. Photo submitted
State Sen. Greg Albritton encouraging the crowd to take pride in this local treasure. Photo submitted
Key partners cutting the ribbon on the unveiling of Little River State Forest. Photo submitted
From left: AFC Little River Work Unit Manager Ryan Holland, Assistant State Forester Will Brantley, AFC Asset Planning Director Hank Burch, AFC Commissioner Bob Sharp, AFC Commissioner Chris Langley, AFC Commissioner Michelle Isenberg, AFC Commissioner Joe Twardy, AFC Commissioner Jamestican Parham, State Senator Greg Albritton, State Representative Alan Baker, State Forester Rick Oates, Alabama Department of Finance Assistant Finance Director Susan Wilhelm, and Alabama Speaker of the House Chief of Staff Mark Tuggle. Photo submitted
Event attendees enjoying the new walking bridge and trail. Photo submitted
Special to the News
Local leaders and state government representatives were in attendance on Tuesday, April 14, for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the new features at Little River State Forest located near Atmore in south Alabama. The event was hosted by the Alabama Forestry Commission.
State Sen. Greg Albritton commented, “Little River is all about children. That’s why this place exists. Just about everyone here today has wonderful memories of this park from when they were children. Now that it is resurrected, we want to be sure it is here to pass down to future generations.”
“Our agency is truly excited about all the recent enhancements at Little River,” said State Forester Rick Oates. “After being closed for more than five years, we are proud to see that this beautiful, natural state resource will once again be available for the benefit of the community.”
In addition to the governor and Legislature who made the improvements possible, he thanked the sponsors of Tuesday’s event which included Alabama Ag Credit, Alabama Farmers Federation, Alabama Forestry Association, Alabama Forestry Foundation, Alabama Power Company, Alabama TREASURE Forest Association, Alabama Trails Foundation, Conecuh Sausage, and Gulf Coast RC&D.
Oates explained how the improvements were made possible.
“In May 2022, Alabama voters passed a constitutional amendment authorizing the issuance of $85 million in bonds to support improvements at State Parks and Historical Commission sites,” he said. “The amendment also authorized that any premium generated from the sale of the bonds would be provided to the Alabama Forestry Commission to make improvements on State Forests. The bonds were sold in November 2022, generating over $6.7 million for the AFC, which we immediately targeted for improvements at Little River, Weogufka and Geneva State Forests.”
“A top priority of the bond fund program was to rebuild and reopen the recreation area at Little River State Forest, which was closed to the public in 2020 after a destructive weather event,” Oates continued. “Improvements include a new entrance bridge across Little River, installation of 15 full-hookup RV campsites, eight primitive campsites, public water lines, a new septic system, a new fishing pier, and renovations to the existing bathhouse, picnic pavilion, and swimming pier. The recreation area is set to reopen to the public for day and overnight use by early summer 2026!”
Consisting of approximately 2,100 acres of longleaf pine forest and a 25-acre lake, the State Forest also includes Claude D. Kelley Recreational Area, which offers a beautiful setting for outdoor adventures including hiking, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding.
Along the trails there are plenty of opportunities to view wildlife, and bird watchers find it an exceptional site to observe species of all types.
The property was deeded to the Alabama Forestry Commission in the early 1930s during the Great Depression. Built as a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) development project, the lake with its dam, levee and spillway from local stone are a legacy to the workers from Company 1432.
Easily accessible from I-65, the park is located approximately 10 miles north from exit 57, at 580 H. Kyle Road in Atmore. Lat/Long coordinates are 31.259798, -87.493780.
Information about reservations will be released at a later date.
