Alabama State Parks will be improved by using products made in Alabama.

Officials announced Thursday more than two dozen water and wastewater projects at Alabama State Parks. Many of these projects will use ductile iron pipe manufactured in Alabama. The projects are funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and administered by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM).

“We will be improving Alabama State Parks by using Alabama-made products built by Alabama workers and used in projects designed by Alabama engineers and installed by Alabama contractors,” said Chris Blankenship, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which oversees State Parks. “These projects will strengthen our state parks and support Alabama jobs at the same time. It’s always a good thing when two state agencies, like the Department of Conservation and ADEM, can work together on projects that benefit Alabamians and contribute to our state’s economy.”

The announcement was made at Lakepoint State Park, where one of the first projects put out for bidding will be completed. The scope of work for every project mandates all ductile iron pipe used must be made by American companies.

A majority of the ductile iron pipe made in the United States is manufactured in Alabama by three companies – U.S. Pipe, American Cast Iron Pipe Company and McWane Cast Iron Pipe Company, all of which are located in metro Birmingham.

Elected officials joined State Parks staffers and officials from the Ductile Iron Pipe Research Association at Lakepoint State Park for Thursday’s announcement, along with local business and civic leaders.

The list of projects featuring Alabama-made ductile iron pipe includes upgrades at many of the 21 State Parks, including Wind Creek State Park in Alexander City, Lake Guntersville State Park, Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham, and Monte Sano State Park in Huntsville.

“The U.S. Pipe employees in Alabama work hard every day to provide Alabama-made, resilient and reliable water transmission solutions,” said Ryan McCullough, president of U.S. Pipe. “We are proud of our 126-year history in Alabama and honored to be part of this initial project with Alabama State Parks. We thank the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for specifying domestic ductile iron pipe, the most resilient piping system made today, for their water transmission.”

About Alabama’s State Parks System
The Alabama State Parks is a division of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and maintains 21 state parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres of land and water in Alabama. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains and provide opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurants and golfing areas. These parks rely on visitor fees and the support of other partners like local communities to fund the majority of their operations. Learn more at alapark.com.