Alabama - Dead Children's Playground

In this bonus episode of Hoosier Myths and Legends, we’re hitting the road to explore haunted spots beyond Indiana—starting with Huntsville, Alabama. The Dead Children’s Playground, next to Maple Hill Cemetery, is said to be haunted by the spirits of children lost to the 1918 Spanish Flu. With reports of laughter, moving swings, and eerie EVPs, is it truly paranormal or just eerie surroundings? Let's dive into the history and hauntings of this infamous site.

References

Dressman, Jordan. 2025. “Huntsville's The Dead Children's Playground: Fact & Fiction | rocketcitynow.com.” WZDX Huntsville. https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/features/the-dead-childrens-playground-fact-ficton/525-b1c644ee-d957-4031-8971-824b5f6adce2.

“Has anyone ever actually had a spooky experience at Dead Children's Playground at Maple Hill? : r/HuntsvilleAlabama.” 2018. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/HuntsvilleAlabama/comments/82bopg/has_anyone_ever_actually_had_a_spooky_experience/.

Jones, VL, and Jill Yoder. 2021. “Alabama's Dead Children Playground.” Coffee House Writers. https://coffeehousewriters.com/alabamas-dead-children-playground/.

Kazek, Kelly. 2020. “The legend of Alabama's 'Dead Children's Playground.'” AL.com. https://www.al.com/life/2020/10/the-legend-of-alabamas-dead-childrens-playground.html.

“Maple Hill Cemetery and the Dead Children's Playground.” 2024. US Ghost Adventures. https://usghostadventures.com/haunted-places/maple-hill-cemetery-and-the-dead-childrens-playground.

McGee, Shannon. n.d. “Dead Children's Playground at Maple Hill Cemetery | Huntsville Alabama | Real Haunted Place.” Alabama Haunted Houses. Accessed March 1, 2025. https://www.alabamahauntedhouses.com/real-haunt/dead-childrens-playground-at-maple-hill-cemetery.html.