A Face in the Forest
Montevallo's beautiful Orr
Park is made even more
unique by the carvings of
artist Tim Tingle.
Montevallo's beautiful Orr
Park is made even more
unique by the carvings of
artist Tim Tingle.
Orr Park - Montevallo, Alabama
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Orr Park and the Faces in the Trees, Alabama
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Orr Park and the Faces in the Trees, Alabama
| Tree Carvings at Orr Park The faces at Nontevallo's Orr Park have delighted visitors since the first ones were carved by artist Tim Tingle following a storm in 1993. |
Alabama's Forest of Faces
One of the most unique parks and nature
preserves in the South is Orr Park, located
just south of Birmingham in the charming city
of Montevallo, Alabama.
A beautiful preserve along Shoal Creek, the
park features traditional amenities such as
picnic tables, walking trails, a recreation
center, ballfields and more. What really
makes Orr Park unique, aside from its
charming setting, is a unique effort by artist
Tim Tingle to preserve the park's ancient
cedar trees.
Many of these old cedars were dying or had
died and, despite their age, were destined for
a meeting with a chainsaw. Tingle, however,
saw potential in the old trees and over time
transformed many of them into remarkable
works of art.
As visitors roam the trails and woods of the
park today, they are greeted with remarkable
carvings of faces, figures, story book
characters and even a dragon. They range
along the park's walking trail and were given
to the people of Montevallo by Tingle. His gift
has brought joy to many and astonishment to
others.
The massive project, affectionately called
Tinglewood, now includes over 30 sculptures
It began in 1993 when a storm damaged
many old trees at Orr Park. Tim Tingle (also a
coal miner) sought permission from the city
leaders to begin converting the damaged
trees to works of art.
His vision quickly became a celebrated part
of life in Montevallo and over time the number
of carvings grew. He uses only dead trees,
leaving the living ones to grow as part of the
living forest.
Tingle's massive outdoor creation of art at
Orr Park is quite simply one of the most
impressive sights in the South.
preserves in the South is Orr Park, located
just south of Birmingham in the charming city
of Montevallo, Alabama.
A beautiful preserve along Shoal Creek, the
park features traditional amenities such as
picnic tables, walking trails, a recreation
center, ballfields and more. What really
makes Orr Park unique, aside from its
charming setting, is a unique effort by artist
Tim Tingle to preserve the park's ancient
cedar trees.
Many of these old cedars were dying or had
died and, despite their age, were destined for
a meeting with a chainsaw. Tingle, however,
saw potential in the old trees and over time
transformed many of them into remarkable
works of art.
As visitors roam the trails and woods of the
park today, they are greeted with remarkable
carvings of faces, figures, story book
characters and even a dragon. They range
along the park's walking trail and were given
to the people of Montevallo by Tingle. His gift
has brought joy to many and astonishment to
others.
The massive project, affectionately called
Tinglewood, now includes over 30 sculptures
It began in 1993 when a storm damaged
many old trees at Orr Park. Tim Tingle (also a
coal miner) sought permission from the city
leaders to begin converting the damaged
trees to works of art.
His vision quickly became a celebrated part
of life in Montevallo and over time the number
of carvings grew. He uses only dead trees,
leaving the living ones to grow as part of the
living forest.
Tingle's massive outdoor creation of art at
Orr Park is quite simply one of the most
impressive sights in the South.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Orr Park is on Park Drive in Montevallo,
Alabama, just one block from Main Street. It
is open during daylight hours.
Montevallo is also a good base for exploring
the Civil War in Central Alabama. The nearby
Brierfield Ironworks State Park includes the
ruins of a Confederate industry destroyed
during Wilson's Raid of 1865. A skirmish
was fought in Montevallo during that raid as
Southern troops tried to delay the advance of
General James H. Wilson's Union army.
Also of interest in the area is Confederate
Memorial Park, Alabama's tribute to its Civil
War history and the site of the state's Old
Soldier's Home.
Alabama, just one block from Main Street. It
is open during daylight hours.
Montevallo is also a good base for exploring
the Civil War in Central Alabama. The nearby
Brierfield Ironworks State Park includes the
ruins of a Confederate industry destroyed
during Wilson's Raid of 1865. A skirmish
was fought in Montevallo during that raid as
Southern troops tried to delay the advance of
General James H. Wilson's Union army.
Also of interest in the area is Confederate
Memorial Park, Alabama's tribute to its Civil
War history and the site of the state's Old
Soldier's Home.
Wizard of the Forest
Tingle's carvings at Orr Park
take on the forms of many
fanciful characters.
Tingle's carvings at Orr Park
take on the forms of many
fanciful characters.
More Photos of Orr Park
Brierfield Ironworks
Confederate Memorial Park
Historic Sites in Alabama
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
Brierfield Ironworks
Confederate Memorial Park
Historic Sites in Alabama
Explore other Southern Historic Sites
| Photos by Lauren McCormick |
| Copyright 2011 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |
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