A vibrant small business neighborhood in Montgomery
In tree-shaded Forest Park, family-owned plumbing companies, local vets and daycares are at the heart of the community. Just 3 miles from the Alabama State Capitol and adjacent to Alabama State University, this Midtown Montgomery neighborhood is home to a growing mix of local businesses along its central East Fifth Street corridor. But this resource-heavy destination didn’t start that way. “Every business on this street was a house that’s been turned into a business,” says Tom Mann, owner of the Adventure Sports II dive shop since 1989 and a resident of the neighboring Old Cloverdale community. Mann says the same thing is happening on nearby Mulberry Street, creating a “vibrant small business neighborhood.” Forest Park attracts commuters and families with its proximity to highways, shopping centers and parks. Montgomery Country Club is nearby, as are Jackson Hospital and the private kindergarten through 12th grade school Montgomery Academy.
Forest Park boasts an array of beautifully preserved historic homes in every corner!
Near forest Park at Carl’s Clays, you can buy locally made items for about $75.
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Forest Park has traditional homes on shady streets
Homes range from traditional brick ranch-style builds to eclectic bungalows to colonial properties. Although there aren’t many sidewalks, the neighborhood is still considered comfortably walkable, with ample streetlights, shady trees and little through traffic. Prices are more affordable than neighboring communities like Old Cloverdale, ranging from $30,000 to $60,000 for compact cottages and $80,000 to $150,000 for renovated four-bedroom homes. Age and condition play a huge role in these prices, as does location — the most expensive properties, which top out at around $200,000, sit closest to the Montgomery Country Club. Local Realtors note that loose soil in the area has caused a pattern of structural issues, so new homebuyers may want to pay close attention to the foundation during inspection.
Towering, mature trees cast a soothing shade over the enchanting Forest Park neighborhood.
Forest Park is known for its charming collection of beautiful brick homes.
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Visit the gardens at Oak Park
Oak Park covers 40 acres with tree-shaded trails that wind past playgrounds and reservable picnic shelters. The park is also home to the W.A. Gayle Planetarium, which offers engaging exhibits for visitors of all ages. The Montgomery Botanical Gardens also occupy the grounds and often offers nature-inspired art classes. The Montgomery Country Club, open since 1903, features a historic 18-hole course, a spacious pool and tennis courts. Less than 3 miles away, Vaughn Road Park is especially popular for its sprawling contemporary playscape. And in summer, residents can enjoy riverside breezes and boat rides at Riverfront Park in downtown Montgomery. Or, if they’re willing to go a bit farther, “Lake Martin is a huge draw, and it’s within an hour of here. I like to go to the beach in the summer. Most people don’t know that Alabama has 50 miles of coastal shore,” Mann says.
Experience the charm of Forest Park, along with its rich history and stunning beauty.
Enjoy the Botanical Gardens at Oak Park in Forest Park.
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New restaurants on Mulberry Street
Forest Park sits between two of the area’s leading commercial thoroughfares: Zelda Road to the east and Mulberry Street to the west. Zelda Road has everything from banks and medical offices to reliable chain restaurants like First Watch and Cava. Local favorites include Gail’s Down the Street Café and The Cork & Cleaver, a family-owned gastropub. Publix sits at the street's southern end, and Winn-Dixie is a short 2-mile drive up Carter Hill Road. Longstanding restaurants like Martin’s serve up southern specialties, including fried catfish. “We’re three hours from the Gulf Coast, so we get fresh seafood daily here,” Mann says. Local shops are gaining popularity along nearby Mulberry Street, including the new Perennial Restaurant operating out of a renovated, century-old house. “There’s a good buzz about that,” says Keith Roll, a Realtor with Capital Realty Group River Region and a friend of Perennial’s owner. The street is also home to community cornerstones like Shashy’s Bakery and Fine Foods, which opened in 1990. “Shashy’s is an old-time favorite,” Roll says. “The Shashy family is in real estate, and one of the Shashys is a local judge. Great breakfast over there.”
Shashy’s Bakery and Fine Foods has served the community since 1990.
Perennial Restaurant recently opened down the street in a renovated, century-old house.
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JAG High offers medical science clubs
Nixon Elementary, Bellingrath Middle and Johnson Abernathy Gratz High are rated D-plus on Niche. The high school, often called JAG High, encourages students interested in medical careers to join the Health Occupations Students of America, or HOSA, club. Additional elementary school options include the nearby Forest Avenue Academic Magnet Elementary School, which scores a B-plus on Niche. The A-plus-rated Montgomery Academy, a private kindergarten through 12th grade campus, was recently rated the No. 1 K-12 school in Montgomery by Niche.
Annual events in downtown Montgomery
Forest Park residents are just minutes away from all the events downtown Montgomery has to offer, including lively celebrations such as the annual Seafood & Arts Festival and Jazz on the Riverfront.
Getting around with the M
The Montgomery Area Transit System, known locally as the M, provides convenient bus routes across the metro area. The 4-mile trip to downtown Montgomery takes 30 to 45 minutes by bus. Interstate 85 cuts through downtown and connects drivers with Interstate 65, which leads north to Birmingham and south to Mobile. Montgomery Regional Airport is about 10 miles away.
Forest Park is close to I 85 and offers quick commuting.
Forest Park is minutes fro Maxwell Air Force Base.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Forest Park
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
5
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Forest Park Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Forest Park, Montgomery sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Forest Park, Montgomery over the last 12 months is $122,000, up 16% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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