Maple Hill Park

Country park · Huntsville

Maple Hill Park

Country park · Huntsville

1

1351 McClung Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801

Photos

Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by rebecaschandel (Atlas Obscura User)
Maple Hill Park by Magnus Manske on Wikipedia (Creative Commons)
Maple Hill Park by rebecaschandel (Atlas Obscura User)
Maple Hill Park by emilydmonson (Atlas Obscura User)
Maple Hill Park by http://www.huntsvilleal.gov/wp-content/upl... (Public Domain)
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null
Maple Hill Park by null

Highlights

Playground with swings, jungle gym, and historic quarry backdrop  

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Placeholder

1351 McClung Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 Get directions

Information

Static Map

1351 McClung Ave SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 Get directions

+1 256 883 3291

Features

wheelchair accessible parking lot
wheelchair accessible entrance

Last updated

Aug 9, 2025

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13 U.S. Cemeteries Where Apparitions Abound

"Cemeteries can be boring for kids. The weight and import of death has not truly sunk in yet, so the cool headstones and elaborate grave markers must just seem like awesome rocks to play on, but no one will let them. They are going to live forever, so why is everyone so sad? Well in a park space adjoining Alabama’s Maple Hill Cemetery, the largest and oldest in the state, there is a small playground where they can have a place to release that energy. Of course this cemetery playground sees more ghost hunters and teenagers than bored children. It seems like simple math that a sparse playground built on the grounds of a century-old cemetery would come to have a reputation more sinister than silly, but the planners put it in anyway.The small array of simple playground equipment includes swings, and a modern jungle gym. It is set in a low spot of the graveyard and surrounded by rocks and trees on three sides, making it all the more claustrophobic. As the historic cemetery began running out of room in 2007, officials from the city of Huntsville decided to raze the play area to make room for more burials. Yet the locals were so outraged at the loss of their playground that a new playground was built, bringing the site back from the dead, so to speak. Today the playground is known to locals as Dead Children’s Playground and the mundane site has accumulated a deep catalogue of supernatural associations. As the believers would tell it, the swings can often be found to sway by themselves, spheres of cold ghost light can be seen floating around, and even the spectres of little kids have been spotted having a little midnight fun.  Dead Children’s Playground, where kids can have the time of their afterlife." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/haunted-cemetery
View Postcard for Maple Hill Park

Caroline Craig

Google
The area is really pretty. Lots of areas to have a picnic and for kids to climb. The playground itself is definitely lacking, profanity written on it.

Div

Google
Beautiful area. The quarry remains make a lovely backdrop for the playground. I didn't experience anything ghostly, but then again, I went during the day!

kat evans

Google
I love this play ground! I grew up going but it could definitely use some attention!!! The bolts on the swings are coming loose and one of the swings is broken.😞 But I will forever love this it!! Really wish the old playground equipment was still there!!! It was so much better than the new stuff but like I said still love it! 🛝 Of course all growing it was called dead children’s playground and yes it is creepy at night and the swings do go on there own with no wind or anything!! 👻

Mazdabator

Google
Got harassed by the cops because I was a little past dark leaving due to my 3 year old having an accident in her pants. After taking my firearm and my wife's purse ( which also contained a gun ) searching me and running both my and my wife's IDs I was given a lecture about gun safety and God before being free to go. I have been a responsible gun owner probably before this young fellow was even an officer. He even asked my other two children who are 17 and 12 if they were okay and if we were their parents and if we were there sacrificing animals of all things.

Margie Gilbert

Google
We came by this park on our way home from Nashville.. Of course we had heard that it was haunted and we wanted to see for ourselves. It is in a residential area and the area around the park had a little bit of construction going on with it. We didn't see any restrooms while there and had to go back to Hardee's a mile or so away (which was disgusting). The park is peaceful and while I didn't see or hear anything out of the ordinary I absolutely recommend a stop here!

Derik Murray

Google
It's cool spot if you like checking out things like.

Jennifer Guthrie

Google
If you want to actually bring small children here to play, skip it or stick to them like glue — the amount of garbage, paraphernalia, and literal used condoms in the parking and playground equipment areas is definitely north of zero, and the equipment is in disrepair. If you are a grownup wanting a secluded place to hang out, the flat area up top by the stone facing is pretty neat, but there are better parks with better views in the city that are not strewn with the aforementioned nast for you as well.

Debra Carter

Google
Very nice old historic park with lots of neat rock formations since it was an old quarry. Too bad the old equipment was ripped out but at least they put something back in for the families that go there. There are a lot of really old stories about this little park just go and see for yourself its a really neat and beautiful park regardless of whether you believe or not things happen really late when park is closed anyway. They do have a ghost tour and the Maple Hill Cemetery stroll if you want to hear the history of this historic cemetery.
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Ashley S.

Yelp
I finally went here while I was waiting for the cemetery stroll to start. It's a very nice playground/ picnic area with a few parking spots. Nothing really felt creepy about it.
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Thomas A.

Yelp
I wasn't disappointed, they were lots of dead kids. And it was a playground too so the name is right.
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May A.

Yelp
Drost Park aka "Dead Children's Playground" I watched an episode of a paranormal show once and this location piqued my curiosity. I googled to see its location and we included it in our itinerary when we visited the South. The area is somewhat hidden and if you're not looking for it you won't be able to find it. We drove past an old cemetery to get to the area and the first thing we noticed is a covered section with picnic benches... like a picnic area. The playground area is in a little cove, not very deep, just slightly below, and there are steps to take you down. The locals call it Dead Children's Playground. There are rumors of the playground being home to spirits, dead children spirits. It's been investigated by many paranormal groups, from amateurs to pros. I can't remember the show I saw this episode from but if you search YouTube for "dead children's playground" you'll find other people's video clips and "investigations" posted on there. Supposedly, (from the paranormal show and internet stories) that in 1960's, a series of child disappearances cases were reported in Huntsville. With none of them turning up, it was suspected that an unknown person from the neighborhood killed the children. According to the local legend the spirits of children buried in the cemetery come out late at night to play on the playground. Swings move on their own, ghostly figures are seen on the equipment, and disembodied voices, laughter, and screams can be heard. They're especially very active between 10p to 3a which was well past most kids' bedtimes. Is it haunted?? The verdict: So far, I have not been able to document or find any proof that there is activity in the playground because none of the children came out to play with me. I'm sure Ryan M (San Antonio TX) can! Still fun to visit, though. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Happy "ghost" haunting! Review #1859
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John M.

Yelp
Today while on a business trip, I stopped at a reputedly haunted area in Huntsville, Alabama. The Dead Children's Playground lies within the shadows of old beech trees within the limits of the Maple Hill Cemetery. It is said to be haunted by the children buried in the cemetery, which was founded in 1869. Others say it is the spirits of several children who were abducted around 1960 and their bodies were found in the vicinity of the Dead Children's Playground. Paranormal investigators and a few TV shows have captured photos of orbs and a photo of a woman at the site. There is also videos of the swings moving by themselves and recordings of children's laughter and voices, including the words "push me." The city of Huntsville removed the swings, but due to public outcry, replaced the swings and a slide.

Caiden K.

Yelp
It's so creepy at night perfect for ghost hunting and visiting with friends. I do recommend to bring a flashlight