Giant outdoor tournament fishing park and much more
Story by Graham Hadley
Photos by Graham Hadley and David Smith
Architectural renderings submitted
There was a time when the only thing on I-20 between Birmingham and the Georgia state line that drew crowds was the Talladega Superspeedway.
Over the past decade, though, that has changed, with signs for the Civilian Marksmanship Program park, TOP Trails Outdoors, Bass Pro Shops, Barber Motorsports and more lining the interstate.
Now the City of Lincoln will soon be adding another sign to that list directing people to its massive fishing tournament and outdoor park on Logan Martin Lake.
Located just down the road from Honda Manufacturing of Alabama at 740 Travis Dr., Lincoln’s Landing, which is still under construction but already hosting fishing tournaments, will have space for upwards of 500 vehicles and boat trailers. Its massive boat ramp has room for 10 boats to launch at once and, when completed, will have runway-style lighting marking the lanes.
Park Director William “Les” Robinson, said work is progressing fast. “When I was out here first week in February, all that was out here were piles of gravel and leveled ground. Now we have water lines run, the cement is poured, and contractors are working on the restrooms, pavilions and a large boathouse,” which will be used to store the fire department rescue boat.
“We have already had tournaments here. We have one scheduled for this weekend and at least five more this year and 25 planned for 2022,” he said. Even when the park is not being used for tournaments, there are usually 10 to 12 boats being launched there every day.
The park covers 38 acres of property that used to be a sod farm. It is accessed by a road built with the help of state funding during Gov. Bob Riley’s administration to allow residents in that part of Lincoln to get around trains stopped on tracks that bisect that section of the city, said Mayor Lew Watson. “Lincoln has long needed a place for the public to launch boats. Originally, we were looking at land owned by Alabama Power, but … that did not work out, and we found this land. And then the idea was able to grow from just a public boat launch to a fishing tournament park.”
That will mean big things for Lincoln and the surrounding communities,” he said. “It means more business for our city, hotels and restaurants. It’s located right off a major interstate exit and not right in the middle of a dense residential area. It is right off the main channel on the lake, with year-round water. It is the perfect place for the park. It’s like, ‘If we build it, they will come.’”
In addition to the pavilions, large, paved parking areas and more parking space on the grass, the allure of Lincoln’s Landing goes way beyond just a fishing attraction, with a waterfront boardwalk and piers, trails and eventually, a sand swimming beach.
Robinson said the large pavilion will be great for events, even use as a wedding venue, with plenty of fans and a giant fireplace.
“A few decorations, and you are ready to say, ‘I do!’”
But what’s more, he sees the park as a giant opportunity for youths in the area to get in on competitive fishing.
“Bass fishing is the fasted growing high school sport in the state right now.”
And it’s not just for the boys. Robinson said he hopes the park attracts more women and girls to the sport. “There are a lot more fishing scholarships for girls now, but a lot of them go unclaimed because there are not as many girls out there. If the girls come out and start fishing – and they have to fish competitively – the scholarships are there for the taking. They could get a full ride.”
Like so many of the public works success stories in the region, Lincoln’s Landing is a cooperative effort, Watson said. “The McCaig family donated some land, the railroad worked with us, as did Alabama Power. … And we cornered the market on management of the park,” pointing to Robinson.
Watson said the city was very lucky to get Robinson to head up Lincoln’s Landing. He has served in the military and as the maintenance supervisor for Ashland in Clay County.
“You could say we kind of poached him.”
Right now, the parking, piers and boat launch are available for public and tournament use, but the rest is quickly taking shape.
“We have had some weather setbacks,” Robinson said, and the focus right now is on getting all the buildings and bathrooms completed.
Then things like the almost mile-long walking trail and swimming beach, 24-hour lighting and surveillance cameras come next, he said, hoping to have most of the project done by the end of the year.
Use of the park right now is on an honor system, but they will eventually have an electric kiosk in place – similar to what many large cities use for fee-based parking lots – that will take cash, credit or debit cards.
