Tuscaloosa Park On Black Warrior River Renamed For Parker, Haun Families
The city of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and representatives from the Saban Center, a forthcoming hub for science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics (STEAM) located near the Black Warrior River in Tuscaloosa, held a renaming ceremony October 30 for River District Park. The park, which opened last year and offers gathering spaces, LED lighting, an outdoor stage and river-viewing areas, will now be called Parker-Haun Park, named for the two families at the helm of Tuscaloosa-based Parker Towing Company.
Parker Towing Company, started in 1940 by Capt. Tim Parker and later led by his son, Tim Parker Jr., and son-in-law Charles Haun, now has Tim Parker III as its president and CEO and Chas Haun as its executive vice president. The Parker and Haun families have long supported educational efforts in Tuscaloosa, with the company’s partnership with the city’s Children’s Hands-On Museum (CHOM) stretching back to the early ’90s. Parker Towing is also one of five major partners supporting the Saban Center.
“Nick and I are delighted by this next step for Parker-Haun Park,” said Terry Saban, wife of University of Alabama Head Football Coach Nick Saban. “In the last year, this park has become such an asset to our community and will be a wonderful outdoor extension to the Saban Center. We are honored to dedicate it to the Parker and Haun families.”
The Parker and Haun families, along with Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and representatives from the Saban Center and the city of Tuscaloosa, gathered at the main entrance to the park to unveil the new Parker-Haun Park sign.
“The donation is for the STEAM opportunities for the children,” Tim Parker III said. “We saw what a positive impact our prior contribution made at CHOM and wanted to be a part of the next evolution for the children of west Alabama. We are honored to have the park named after us due to our history at the location.”
Parker Towing’s headquarters is located directly across from the park, on the right descending bank.
Caption for photo: The Parker and Haun families at the October 30 celebration to dedicate Parker-Haun Park on the Tuscaloosa riverfront. (Photo courtesy of Parker Towing Company)
