The City of Opelika's 2026 park calendar lists $2 train rides at Municipal Park for three events this season: one in early October, one on October 17, and two nights in December. In July, the city said the Rocky Brook Rocket could not safely run until both of its track bridges were replaced. As of October 8, we couldn't find any public notice saying that work has started, finished, or been scheduled.
That gap matters to anyone planning a fall Saturday or a December evening around the train. It also shows how the rest of Opelika's season is put together. Most of the fall calendar happens at the SportsPlex, Spring Villa Park, Covington Rec, and Courthouse Square, and none of those events depend on a mile of narrow-gauge history on Denson Drive.
What the City Said in July
On July 20, Opelika Parks & Recreation posted an update after getting "several questions" about the train at Municipal Park. Here is what it said:
"The train is in great working condition. However, the two bridges along the track have been determined to be beyond repair and must be replaced before the train can safely resume operation."
The department said it would share updates "as soon as construction on the new bridges is scheduled to begin."
Nine days later, Mayor Eddie Smith's State of the City address on July 29 included one line about it: "The bridges that carry our Rocky Brook Rocket train will be updated this year in order to maintain this favorite pastime." The speech didn't name a contractor, a cost, or a start date.
So the city has committed to the work this year and said plainly that the train can't run until it's done. Those are the two firm facts. Everything below is a calendar built on top of them.
Three Train Dates on the 2026 Calendar
The city's Fall 2026 Park Bench activity guide and its October news releases list train rides at three events. Here they are side by side:
| Event | Date | Time | Listed train detail | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eerie Express | Oct. 1–2 (Thu–Fri) | 5:30–8:30 p.m. | Train rides around the decorated park, $2 per ride | 2nd grade and younger |
| Municipal Mayhem | Sat., Oct. 17 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m. | Train rides, $2 | All ages; United Way fundraiser |
| Reindeer Express | Dec. 11–12 (Fri–Sat) | 5–8 p.m. | Train rides through the lights, $2 per ride | 2nd grade and younger |
The Eerie Express dates have already passed, and we didn't find any public report on whether the train ran for it. The Municipal Mayhem notice is the most recent of the three. It was posted October 7 and lists "train rides" among the activities, priced at $2. A ride listed in an event promotion isn't the same as the city announcing the bridges are finished, and so far the city hasn't made that announcement.
The Reindeer Express is the most train-centered event of the year, and the guide adds hot chocolate, s'mores by the campfire, and visits with Santa. The city's event page lists Santa visits as free and s'more kits at $1. If the bridges aren't finished by December 11, families still have the campfire and Santa. Whether the ride happens is the open question.
Why Two Bridges Carry So Much Weight
Municipal Park was established in 1951. Four years later, Parks and Recreation director Bill Calhoun added the miniature train, and it started running in 1955. According to a 2019 history in AL.com, the Central of Georgia Railroad supplied the crossties, built bridges, and laid 1,130 feet of track at no cost. The train got its name from a newspaper naming contest.
The train itself has been restored before. It was sent to California for an overhaul in 2015 and was back in the park by Christmas 2016. That earlier work explains why the city could call the train "in great working condition" this July even with the track out of service. This time the equipment is fine and the problem is the structures it crosses.
The track runs through a park with more to do than the ride. The city's facility page for Municipal Park lists several playground areas, two rentable shelters, a gazebo with picnic tables, restrooms, and Rocky Brook Creek. Shelters are booked through the Recreation Center. That's useful for a December birthday or a family meetup, whether or not the train is running.
Fall Dates That Don't Depend on the Track
Outside Denson Drive, Opelika's fall calendar is spread across four other locations. Here are the remaining October dates from the activity guide and city notices, in order:
- Noon Tunes, Wednesdays through Oct. 28, noon to 1 p.m., by the fountain at Courthouse Square. Free. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair.
- Senior Health and Resource Fair, Tuesday, Oct. 13, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Opelika SportsPlex. Free for caregivers and adults 55 and older, with service providers, giveaways, and door prizes.
- The Great Pumpkin Splash, Friday, Oct. 16, 6 to 8 p.m. in the SportsPlex pool. Ages 6 to 10 pick a pumpkin out of the water and decorate it. $5 per person, and registration closes Oct. 12.
- Municipal Mayhem, Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Municipal Park. It's covered in more detail below.
- Fright Night at the Villa, Saturday, Oct. 17, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the lawn of the Penn Yonge Home at Spring Villa Park. It's a free, adults-only screening of The Strangers (2008).
- Halloween Drop-In, Thursday, Oct. 22, 6 to 8 p.m. at Covington Rec. Food and games for 3rd through 5th graders. $10, with registration through Oct. 21.
- Fall Festival & Children's Carnival, Tuesday, Oct. 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m. on the Opelika SportsPlex soccer fields. Carnival games, bounce houses, giant slides, food vendors, and music for kids 12 and younger. Admission is free, and game armbands are $10.
One October event has already come off the list. Tour de Fright was set for October 9 on the walking track behind the SportsPlex. On October 8, Parks & Recreation canceled it because of possible bad weather and said it will not be rescheduled. The schedule in the printed guide is not final, and that's true for the train dates as well.
Spring Villa Park has also been getting attention outside of event nights. The mayor's July speech listed the Spring Villa Lodge, the Penn Yonge Dining Hall, and the Spring Villa restroom building and Park Pavilion among this year's park projects. On the west side of town, the inclusive playground at West Ridge Park, 1600 Covington Avenue, opened August 20 with accessible play equipment.
Municipal Mayhem, With or Without the Ride
The October 17 event replaces Burgers & Badges, the city's longtime fundraiser, and keeps its focus on United Way of Lee County. This year, city employees are split into three teams that compete in "fast, funny, and unpredictable" challenges, and audience donations can shape how the competition plays out.
The concession list is specific: a $5 burger and chip combo, plus soft drinks, water, cookies, popcorn, boiled peanuts, and lemonade. Challenge Tickets are sold on site. United Way of Lee County supports local programs in education and youth development, financial stability, health and wellness, and basic needs. Questions go to the City of Opelika Community Relations Department at [email protected].
The burgers, the team challenges, and the donations will happen either way. The $2 train ride is the only part of the morning that depends on bridge work the city hasn't publicly confirmed.
The December Stretch
The holiday calendar starts downtown. SNOPELIKA's parade and tree lighting is Friday, December 4, starting at 5:30 p.m., with the celebration at Courthouse Square and a parade theme of "Christmas Movies," according to the Opelika Chamber of Commerce.
The Victorian Front Porch Christmas Tour follows December 9–13. Driving tours run December 9–11 and 13 from 5 to 9 p.m., and the walking tour is December 12 from 6 to 9 p.m., according to Auburn-Opelika Tourism.
Parks & Recreation fills the same week. Theodore the Elf leaves ornament clues on the department's Facebook and Instagram pages December 7–11, and kids who bring a found ornament to the SportsPlex get a prize. The Christmas Drop-In for 3rd through 5th graders is Thursday, December 10, 6 to 8 p.m. at Covington Rec, 213 Carver Avenue. It's $10, with registration December 1–9. The Reindeer Express follows on December 11 and 12.
That means December 12 has the Victorian walking tour and the second night of the Reindeer Express on the same evening. If the bridges are finished by then, it will probably be the busiest night of the season on Denson Drive. If they aren't, the porch tour is still on, and so are the campfire and Santa at Municipal Park.
Checking the Train's Status Before You Go
The city said in July it would announce when bridge construction is scheduled, and Parks & Recreation posts updates on Facebook and Instagram under @opelikaparks. Its October 8 cancellation notice for Tour de Fright went up the day before the event. Short notice like that is the best reason to check the morning of October 17 or December 11 before telling a grandchild there will be a train ride.
Small details like whether the Rocky Brook Rocket is running are part of knowing a town well. If you're planning a move to or within Opelika, or just want someone who keeps up with what's happening in Lee County, Tiffiney Graham is glad to talk through it with you. Let's Connect.
