On game days in Tuscaloosa, traffic grinds to a chaotic crawl as some 100,000 fans converge on the west-central Alabama town’s football stadium. However, during the other 350 or so days of the year, residents and visitors seek out other diversions, including the town’s libraries, museums, theaters, and performance venues such as the recently renamed 8000-seat Mercedes-Benz Amphitheater.
The parking lot adjacent to that 15-acre outdoor arena on Jack Warner Parkway serves as the launching point for walkers, joggers, and cyclists setting out to explore the city’s 4-mile Riverwalk along the scenic Black Warrior River. The path is easy and ever-so-slightly downhill, offering a relaxed stroll amidst the lush suburban vegetation. Keep in mind, though, it’s not a loop – you’ll need to retrace your steps unless you arrange a pickup further along the path. For a shorter option, consider turning back at the halfway point at the Marr’s Spring Road traffic light.
A paved path marked with yellow dashed lines guides visitors the entire path, beginning at the amphitheater, where you’ll walk past the historic Tuscaloosa truss railroad and beneath busy Lurleen B. Wallace Blvd. At the park’s gateway, there’s plenty of seating, open grassy spaces, a whimsical sunflower-shaped bicycle rack, and several bright blue police emergency call boxes. Just beyond a gentle dip, the path encircles a striking metal sculpture celebrating Tuscaloosa’s twin cities in Japan, Germany, and Ghana, while a nearby fountain offers children a refreshing cooling station during the warm months.
Flanked by the river to the left and Warner Parkway on the right, the path can be noisy at times but is largely a peaceful walk passing the River Market building after about a mile or so. Open every Saturday from 7 am to noon, dozens of booths display produce, baked goods, and crafts. Just past the market, staff at the town Visitor Center can answer Tuscaloosa-related questions. Outside the Center, a bronze statue honors local sports hero Deontay Wilder, former World Boxing Council heavyweight champion.
Continuing your walk, you’ll next encounter Moonshot Creamery (they open at 1 pm Monday through Saturday) at The Shops at Riverwalk Place. Don’t feel guilty if you’re tempted by ice cream flavors such as Creme Brulee, Blueberry Cheesecake, or Caramel Brownie. You are, after all, only human.
Public restrooms can be found nearby, as well as another quaint bike rack fashioned after a yellow dinosaur skeleton. Then there’s the distinctly odd mini-Stonehenge, just as mysterious as the original structure some 4,000 miles away in Wiltshire, England. The path continues over several small pedestrian bridges leading to a side path with Nick’s Kids Playground sponsored by, amongst others, a famous sporting Nick who needs no introduction in Alabama.
At the halfway point at the above-mentioned traffic light, you can either turn back for a 4-mile round trip or continue another 2 miles, passing the University of Alabama’s main entrance and a few other surprises along the way, which, if you go the distance, would make an 8-mile round trip.
As daylight fades, soft lamp lighting illuminates the path, creating an inviting environment, should you fancy an evening walk along the river in Alabama’s fifth most populous city.
Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery and has written features, columns, and interviews for many newspapers and magazines. His hiking column describes short trails, hikes, and walks from around the country that seniors might enjoy. See www.ItsAWonderfulHike.com.