Selma is known for its railroad history and downtown character, but the town also maintains a collection of parks that give residents several ways to spend time outside.

Blackley Athletic Park includes a walking trail, basketball court and baseball field, making it useful for both casual exercise and organized recreation.

Edgebrook Park adds tennis courts, a playground, picnic shelter and benches.

Families looking for a smaller neighborhood stop can explore Raiford Street Park or Sumner Street Park.

Raiford Street Park includes a playground, picnic shelter and a Little Free Library, which makes it an especially easy family stop.

Downtown, Vick Park offers picnic tables, seating and chess boards, while Art Out Loud Park adds a creative public-space element.

Together, these spaces show a side of Selma that can be easy to miss when you are simply driving through town.

A local outing can also include Selma’s railroad heritage.

The historic Union Station remains one of the town’s most recognizable landmarks and reinforces Selma’s long connection to passenger rail.

That gives families an opportunity to combine outdoor recreation with a little local history in the same day.

You do not need a festival or special event to make Selma worth exploring.

Start with a park, walk through downtown and stop at a local shop or restaurant along the way.

Most town parks operate from dawn to dusk, but residents should check current notices before visiting because maintenance and improvement projects can temporarily affect access.

Pets should be leashed and owners should clean up after them.

For families, grandparents or anyone looking for an inexpensive afternoon, Selma’s parks offer a surprisingly varied collection of choices.

Pick one you have never visited, then add a downtown stop and make a hometown day out of it.