U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open – Hand-cycle Relays

We are preparing for a busy evening on Friday, April 8 in downtown Huntsville. There are several events happening, and we want you to come and enjoy our vibrant downtown! Please plan ahead on where to park – we have information to help make this as smooth as possible.

The U.S. Paralympics Cycling Open will kick off with Hand-cycle Relays from 6:00 to 6:45 p.m. and awards at 7 p.m. This will take place around Big Spring Park, and the Start/Finish line is on Church Street, just near Cozy Cow and Huntsville Utilities. Come downtown, watch the athletes, enjoy food from local food trucks and get a purple cup and enjoy a drink from Pane e Vino!

Parts of Church Street will close Friday at 2:30 p.m. between Cozy Cow and the Huntsville Museum of Art. At 4 p.m. other nearby roads (and all of Church St between Williams and Clinton) will close, and the main race ring around Big Spring Park will hard close at 5:30 p.m. until the races finish and fences are removed. The race’s official end time is just before 7 p.m. and all roads except Church Street will open before 8 p.m.

If you’re coming to the races – we have created a Google Map with several options on where you may park. Look for the purple ‘P’ symbols – these are positioned in several places:

• Park Plaza office complex (enter from Gallatin St. or from Dr. Joseph Lowery Blvd; Williams Ave. entrance will be closed)
• Progress Bank (corner of Williams & Gallatin)
• City of Huntsville Garage B (corner of Williams & Church)
• City of Huntsville Garage O (114 Clinton Ave. E)
• Parking in the lots at Greene Street & Eustis Ave.
• Huntsville/Madison County Chamber – 225 Church Street NW
• Huntsville Area Association of Realtors – 535 Monroe Street NW

If you’re coming to the races, we suggest you travel to downtown by Gallatin Street, Madison Street, or via I-565 and the Downtown exit to access one of these parking areas. We don’t suggest using Memorial Parkway to Clinton Avenue, because there are several events happening at the Von Braun Center on Friday during the day and evening. Due to this, VBC parking lots are expected to be full. If you are attending an event at the VBC on Friday night, please consider using Lot K—with entrances on Woodson Street and and on Clinton Avenue across from the U.S. Post Office.) On the map, Lot K is noted with a green ‘P’ symbol. It’s just a short walk to the VBC and both entrances to Lot K will be staffed. Note—if you want to save yourself any hassles, use 565 via Downtown exit 19C, turn right on Jefferson, turn right onto Monroe, right on Holmes and left onto Woodson. This will be the easiest way to access Lot K!

Pedestrian Crossings around Big Spring Park

The map also lists four Pedestrian Crossings – the crosswalk at Huntsville Utilities/Cozy Cow on Church Street, the crosswalk at Church & Williams, the crosswalk at the AC Hotel, and the crosswalk on Monroe Street in front of Propst Arena. These are the only four areas you’ll be allowed to cross after 5:30 p.m. when police close down the race ring.  We do encourage you to cross at these – you’ll have a great view, you’ll be able to access the food trucks, and enjoy Big Spring Park!

Activities: Bring chairs/blankets. Food trucks will be ready to serve at 5:00 p.m. from Church Street. Grab a purple cup from Pane e Vino – they’ll have their outdoor beer bar set up, just outside the restaurant. You’ll have a great race view from inside the Park. Live music will also be played in the evening!

Please refer to our Spectator Guide for information about Saturday & Sunday (April 9-10) in Cummings Research Park. Come cheer on the racers!