Last week, local leaders, developers, and community members gathered at Grissom High School for the Hays Farm Community Progress Update, hosted by the South Huntsville Main Business Association.

The event offered insights into the progress and future of the Hays Farm development, a transformative project reshaping South Huntsville.

Attendees heard from key figures including Mayor Tommy Battle, Councilwoman Dr. Jennie Robinson, Madison County Commissioner Phil Riddick, and developer John Hays, each highlighting the vision behind Hays Farm and its role in the area’s growth.

Councilwoman Dr. Jennie Robinson reflected on the early plans for Hays Farm, recalling a conversation with John Hays where he sketched out the vision for the 850-acre project.

“At the heart of it was this park, Hays Farm Park,” Robinson said.

She emphasized that the recent groundbreaking of the park marked a turning point for the development.

“We really started to see that this was what was going to pull everything together,” she added.

The new park, complete with lagoons, a waterfall, pavilions, and a performance stage, aims to become a central gathering place for the community.

“This is going to be the kind of place that people will come to take prom pictures… it’s going to be a beautiful backdrop right across from the high school where those prom pictures will be taken and other memories will be made,” Robinson noted.

Madison County Commissioner Phil Riddick shared his enthusiasm for the greenways and trails that connect the Hays Farm development with surrounding areas.

“We moved in about a year ago. We have loved it,” he said, describing his own experience as a Hays Farm resident.

He highlighted recent improvements to the Weatherly Road Greenway, which connects the Aldridge Creek Greenway with the new Hays Farm trails.

“There’s about, I think, a quarter-mile segment… that’s in the process of being acquired to make that loop complete,” Riddick explained, referring to a planned 16-17 mile loop.

He emphasized the importance of these features, stating, “There’s almost nothing you can do to older neighborhoods that works better than bringing in greenways and sidewalks and parks.”

Developer John Hays, representing the Hays family, spoke passionately about the journey behind the Hays Farm development, describing it as a “dream shared by the Hays family, the residents… the county commission, and the city of Huntsville.”

He credited the collaboration between public and private entities for the project’s success, including the city’s investment in relocating Grissom High School and attracting new businesses like Publix.

Hays emphasized the long-term vision behind the development, noting, “We built a master plan community in South Huntsville… around education, because we got Grissom High School, around quality of life with a 500-acre park, and around habitat protection.” He pointed to the substantial economic impact, with “500 million—that’s a half a billion dollars—that’s either completed or under construction in Hays Farm.”

For Hays, the impact on surrounding property values is a major achievement, describing it as “a win-win-win situation” where the city, residents, and developers all benefit. He concluded, “The dream of revitalization, stabilization, and resurgence of South Huntsville is a reality… and we’re proud to put our name on this one.”

The event underscored the broader impact of the Hays Farm development on the region. Beyond the 500-acre park and extensive trail system, the project includes new commercial spaces and a revitalized Home Depot center.

Jeff Enfinger, a key figure in the development, shared plans to transform the shopping center into a more modern space with new businesses.

“By Christmas of next year, that should all be redone,” he said, aiming to attract lifestyle-focused businesses to the area.

As the project moves forward, leaders expressed optimism about the future of South Huntsville. With its blend of preserved natural areas, new amenities, and enhanced connectivity, Hays Farm is poised to become a centerpiece for the community.

Reflecting on the journey, Robinson concluded, “It is really an honor to work with all of these partners to literally make a vision a dream come true.”

The community’s next steps include watching these plans take shape and seeing the Hays Farm development continue to evolve for current and future residents.