General Provisions.

Ala. Code tit. 9, ch. 14, art. 1

in effect

Ala. Code § 9-14-1 Definitions.

9-14-1. Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (1) PARK. Any area of land primarily valuable for recreational purposes because of its scenic, historic, prehistoric, archaeologic, scientific or other distinctive characteristics or nature features. (2) MONUMENT and HISTORIC SITE. Any area of land, with or without buildings, structures or other objects thereon, wholly or primarily of historic, prehistoric, archaeologic, scientific or commemorative interest or value. (3) PARKWAY. Any elongated strip of land suitable for recreation and a pleasure vehicle road to which the owners or lessees of abutting property shall have no right of direct access. (4) LAND. Upland, land under water and every estate, interest and right, legal or equitable, in land or water. (Acts 1939, No. 556, p. 877, §1; Code 1940, T. 8, §172.)

Ala. Code § 9-14-2 Designation and Uses of Parks, Parkways, Monuments and Historic Sites in State Park System.

9-14-2. Designation and Uses of Parks, Parkways, Monuments and Historic Sites in State Park System. All parks, parkways, monuments and historic sites now owned or hereafter established or acquired by the state shall constitute the state park system (except Mound State Monument, the First White House of the Confederacy and all monuments and historic sites now located on state owned land in the City of Montgomery), and are hereby reserved for the enjoyment and benefit of the people; provided, that nothing contained in this section shall be construed as restricting or limiting in any manner the power and authority now granted by law to the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources to sell, lease or exchange any park, parkway, monument or historic site now owned or hereafter established or acquired by the state. (Acts 1939, No. 556, p. 877, §1; Code 1940, T. 8, §172.)

Ala. Code § 9-14-3 Maintenance of Monument of Fort Louis De La Mobile.

9-14-3. Maintenance of Monument of Fort Louis De La Mobile. The granite monument marking the site of Fort Louis de la Mobile, founded by Iberville and Bienville, and the 25 feet square parcel of land upon which the monument is erected is a part of the public property of the state and must be cared for by the Division of Parks. (Code 1923, §1414; Code 1940, T. 8, §179.)

Ala. Code § 9-14-4 Construction, Maintenance, Etc., of Roads Leading from State Highways to Lands in State Park System.

9-14-4. Construction, Maintenance, Etc., of Roads Leading from State Highways to Lands in State Park System. The State Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and empowered upon the request of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources to construct, reconstruct and maintain roads leading from a state highway to any land included in the state park system. The State Director of Transportation shall confer with the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources before deciding upon the location and character of any such improvement. The State Department of Transportation is hereby authorized and empowered, upon the request of the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources, to construct, reconstruct and maintain roads within the boundary of any land or lands included in the state park system. The construction and reconstruction of such roads shall be in accordance with the development plan for the said land or lands as approved by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. Such roads shall be maintained in such manner as may be agreed upon between the State Director of Transportation and the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources. The costs of such construction, reconstruction and maintenance shall be paid from the state Highway Fund. (Acts 1939, No. 556, p. 877, §4; Code 1940, T. 8, §181.)

Ala. Code § 9-14-5 Repair and Maintenance of Roads and Bridges Within State Parks System and State Owned Public Fishing Lake Areas.

9-14-5. Repair and Maintenance of Roads and Bridges Within State Parks System and State Owned Public Fishing Lake Areas. After September 8, 1967, the State Department of Transportation may have the duty and responsibility of repairing and maintaining all roads and bridges within the state parks system and state owned public fishing lake areas. (Acts 1967, No. 743, p. 1595, § 1.)

Ala. Code § 9-14-6 County and Municipal Grants, Etc., of Lands to State Park System; Appropriations of Moneys for Improvement, Operation, Etc., of State Park System.

9-14-6. County and Municipal Grants, Etc., of Lands to State Park System; Appropriations of Moneys for Improvement, Operation, Etc., of State Park System. Any county and any incorporated city or town in the State of Alabama is hereby authorized and empowered to donate, convey and grant to the State of Alabama any land owned by it or which it may hereafter acquire to become a part of the state park system. Any such county, city or town may appropriate moneys to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to be used and expended in extending, improving, operating or maintaining the state park system. (Acts 1939, No. 556, p. 877, §5; Code 1940, T. 8, §182.)

Ala. Code § 9-14-7 Maintenance of Monte Sano State Park.

9-14-7. Maintenance of Monte Sano State Park. (a) Notwithstanding any other laws, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is prohibited from selling, trading, or rearranging any lands within the boundaries of Monte Sano State Park in Madison County, Alabama. (b) It is the intent of subsection (a) to preserve at a minimum the current geographical size and location of Monte Sano State Park. Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources may expand the geographical size and location of Monte Sano State Park, and may grant easements, permits, licenses, and rights-of-way at its discretion within the boundaries of the park. (Act 2000-768, p. 1762, § 1.)

Ala. Code § 9-14-8 Free Admission for Military Personnel on Holidays.

9-14-8. Free Admission for Military Personnel on Holidays. (a) Any active or retired member of the United States Armed Forces, including any reserve component thereof, or the National Guard, upon presentation of an appropriate active or retired military identification card, shall be granted free admission to any state park operated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on any state or federal holiday. (b) Any Alabama resident who is an active member or honorably separated member of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard, including any reserve component thereof, upon presentation of an appropriate active or retired military identification card, a driver’s license with a veteran designation, valid form DD214, or any other documentation prescribed by law or administrative rule as evidence of honorable separation from active service, shall be granted free admission to any state park operated by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources on all days on which entry to the state park is open to the general public. (Act 2012-508, p. 1506, §1; Act 2018-147, §2.)

Ala. Code § 9-14-9 Sale of Alcoholic Beverages for On-Premises Consumption.

9-14-9. Sale of Alcoholic Beverages for On-Premises Consumption. Each state park that has a lodging facility and restaurant may sell alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption Monday through Saturday, except that in those facilities which currently allow Sunday sales, alcoholic beverages may be sold for on-premises consumption each day of the week. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to any state park or municipality within Chilton County. (Act 2012-531, p. 1578, §1.)

Source: Alabama Legislature (alison.legislature.state.al.us)URL: https://alison.legislature.state.al.us/code-of-alabamaFetched: 10/20/2026