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Dead Children's Playground

203 Maple Hill St Se, Huntsville, Alabama 35801 USA

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  • Independent
  • No Public
    Restrooms
  • Outdoor
    Seating
  • No Wifi
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“Where the swings are haunted”

Maple Hill Cemetery is well-known across Alabama for being home to some important historical figures-- many governors, Senators, and members of the Union and Confederate armies have made their final resting place the scenic burial ground. It was founded all the way back in 1822, and even though it didn't receive the name "Maple Hill" until about 1901 (people just called it "the burial ground") it's been developed into a lovely spot, with gardens and ornate mausoleums. Maple Hill Cemetery is also famed for having the world's scariest playground. Yep, a park inside a cemetery. The locals call it Dead Children's Playground, and despite the blunt nickname, everyone seems to love it. Whether the rumors of the playground being home to spirits are because it's actually haunted or simply because the idea of a playground in a graveyard is just redisposed to creepy stories, it's been investigated by numerous paranormal groups, from amateurs to pros. The most popular theory behind the hauntings seems to think that it's the spirits of the dead children in the cemetery who take refuge on the swings and slides, while others point to a legend about several children who were abducted and found murdered near the playground in a Satanic ritual during the 1960's (of course, there's no evidence that this actualy happened to be found anywhere). Swings move on their own, ghostly figures are seen on the equipment, and disembodied voices, laughter, and screams can be heard, especially between 10PM and 3AM-- well after most kids' bedtimes. But despite all this, the playground is exceedingly popular, so much so that when the city-owned part of Maple Hill Cemetery ran out of land, the playset was taken down overnight so that more room could be made for burial plots. However, there was a massive outcry from the locals claiming that Dead Children's Playground was necessary as it was one of only a few parks in the area. Public opinion in favor of the park was so strong (shockingly so, one would assume that a playground inside a cemetery would be seen as weird by most...) that the city stopped their plans to convert the playground and re-installed new equipment. The ghosts (and ghost hunters) appear to appreciate the move as much as the families do, as reports of strange phenomena continue to this day.  -Roadtrippers

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  • 1 Review
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July 29, 2023
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Despite it's creepy history, Dead Children's Playground is actually one of the best in Huntsville (https://www.alabamaexplorer.com/best-playgrounds-in-huntsville-alabama/). Maybe just don't go at night!

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  • 1 Review
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April 22, 2022
Rated 5.0

actually the swings aren't haunted it's just max swinging on the swing his brother mat is there too do you see them they are brothers I go visit them all the time aren't they wonderful?

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Dead Children's Playground

203 Maple Hill St Se
Huntsville, Alabama
35801 USA
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    Pets Allowed
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    Wheelchair Accessible
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    Outdoor Seating
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