HPM to Manage Major Upgrades and New Lodging Across Alabama State Parks

Alabama, August 13, 2025

News Summary

Birmingham-based construction and program management firm HPM has partnered with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to oversee construction, renovations and a $40 million water and wastewater program across multiple state parks. Projects include a 25-unit boutique hotel at Cheaha, five new lakeside cottages and campground upgrades at Wind Creek, and conversion of a Gulf State Park golf course into a 105-site RV resort. HPM will provide program and project management, preconstruction and field coordination for work at 11 parks. A $25,000 grant will fund prescribed-fire equipment to support habitat restoration and wildfire risk reduction.

Birmingham Firm HPM to Manage Major Upgrades, New Lodging and $40M in Water Work Across Alabama State Parks

HPM, a Birmingham-based construction and program management firm, has teamed with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) to manage construction, renovations and a statewide water program. The partnership covers construction projects at 11 state parks and oversight of $40 million of water and wastewater projects at 12 parks. Key projects include a new boutique hotel at Cheaha State Park, new cottages and campground upgrades at Wind Creek, and a golf-course conversion into an RV resort at Gulf State Park.

What the partnership covers

HPM is providing program management, project management, preconstruction services and field coordination for a mix of projects that range from interior renovations to new construction. The work is intended to enhance the visitor experience and expand public access across the State Parks system. HPM is also handling field coordination and project management for many individual park projects, drawing on a portfolio that includes high-profile recreational and event facilities.

High-priority projects and park highlights

The largest new construction element under HPM’s oversight is a 25-unit boutique hotel at Cheaha State Park, located in Clay and Cleburne counties. The hotel will include a small café and a rooftop bar, adding new overnight lodging and food-and-drink options at the park.

At Wind Creek State Park on Lake Martin, work recently completed includes a ribbon-cutting for five 1,600-square-foot cottages, each with three bedrooms and three bathrooms and with water views. HPM also led renovation of 72 campsites, expanded RV pads to fit larger units, added 50-amp electrical service and improved ADA-compliant accessibility. The campground upgrades increase options for overnight stays and access to lakeshore attractions.

On the Gulf Coast, Gulf State Park’s former golf course is being converted into an RV resort expected to yield 105 RV sites, plus three bathhouses, an administration building and a clubhouse with a pool, splashpad and pickleball courts. The project will add significant overnight capacity near the coast.

Selected renovations and site improvements

• Lakepoint State Park (north of Eufaula): management of renovation for 44 lodge rooms and broader aesthetic improvements.
• DeSoto State Park (Lookout Mountain, DeKalb County): project coordination to build a new pool house with enhanced guest amenities.
• Meaher State Park (Spanish Fort): new 1,400-square-foot administration building with a check-in desk, staff offices and a visitor gift shop managed by HPM.
• Monte Sano State Park (Madison County): site improvements including new sidewalks, interior renovations of 14 cabins, construction of two new bathhouses and conversion of three RV sites to ADA-compliant sites.
• Lake Lurleen State Park (Tuscaloosa County): complete park renovation including new bathhouses, a gatehouse, renovated boat piers, additional RV sites and a modernized playground.

Statewide water and wastewater work

In addition to construction and renovation, HPM is overseeing program and project management plus field coordination for roughly $40 million of water and wastewater projects across 12 state parks. These projects are aimed at improving utilities and long-term infrastructure reliability within park properties.

Conservation equipment grant and habitat work

The ADCNR State Parks Division received a $25,000 grant from the Alabama Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils (AARCDC) to purchase prescribed-fire equipment. The gear package includes drip torches, blowers, a chainsaw, hand tools, safety equipment, signage, a branded trailer and a 130-gallon water tank with a special pump and hose. The equipment will expand controlled-burn capacity, help manage native habitats including longleaf pine restoration, and increase the division’s ability to reduce wildfire risk and assist partners with wildfire suppression.

Context and funding

ADCNR’s State Parks Division manages 21 state parks covering more than 50,000 acres, from Gulf Coast beaches to the Appalachian foothills, offering trails, campgrounds, resort lodging and other recreation. The agency utilized more than $218 million in 2024 for park improvements. Some recent upgrades, including Wind Creek campground work, were supported by an $85 million bond issue for state parks approved by voters in 2022.

Next steps and public access

Work overseen by HPM is ongoing across multiple parks and includes new lodging, campground improvements, infrastructure upgrades and conservation tools. Reservations for campsites and cottages are available online through the state parks reservation portal.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Key project features at a glance

Park / Project	Location	Primary work	Notable features
Cheaha State Park	Clay & Cleburne counties	New 25-unit boutique hotel	Small café and rooftop bar
Wind Creek State Park	Lake Martin	Cottages and campground upgrades	Five 1,600-sq-ft cottages; expanded RV pads; 50-amp service; ADA improvements
Gulf State Park	Baldwin County	Golf-course conversion to RV resort	105 RV sites; bathhouses; clubhouse with pool and splashpad
Lakepoint State Park	North of Eufaula	Lodge room renovations; aesthetic updates	44 renovated lodge rooms
DeSoto State Park	Lookout Mountain, DeKalb County	New pool house	Enhanced guest amenities
Meaher State Park	Spanish Fort	New administration building	1,400 sq ft with check-in, offices and gift shop
Monte Sano State Park	Madison County	Site and cabin improvements	New sidewalks, 14 cabin renovations, two bathhouses, 3 ADA RV conversions
Lake Lurleen State Park	Tuscaloosa County	Complete park renovation	New bathhouses, gatehouse, boat pier work, new RV sites, playground
Statewide water projects	12 state parks	Water & wastewater upgrades	Approximately $40 million in program oversight
Prescribed-fire equipment	State Parks Division	New tools and trailer	$25,000 grant to expand controlled-burn capacity

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Additional Resources

• WBRC: Birmingham Firm HPM to Manage Major Upgrades at Alabama State Parks
• Wikipedia: Alabama State Parks
• ABC3340: Birmingham’s HPM Partners with ADCNR for Alabama State Parks Upgrades
• Google Search: HPM Alabama State Parks
• Outdoor Alabama: Alabama State Parks Expands Prescribed-Fire Capabilities Through Grant Award
• Google Scholar: prescribed fire Alabama state parks
• WHNT: New Cottages, Upgrades at Wind Creek State Park
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Wind Creek State Park
• The Bama Buzz: Wind Creek Named 4th Best Value State Park
• Google News: Alabama State Parks upgrades