About Us

One of the main goals of the Arley Women’s Club is to make our town a better place to live. If that means building a library, we build it. If Arley needs a park that all our citizens can use, we make it happen. If our schools need help, we give it. When our roads are littered, we pick up the trash. If our volunteer fire department has a need, we find a way. We support the local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. The Arley Day Festival began over 40 years ago because a small group of women wanted the town to celebrate with a fun day of games and musical entertainment. Since then, over 100 members strong, the AWC partners with the Arley Town Council and continues its efforts to make our community the best it can be.

The Arley Women’s Club (AWC) has always been actively supportive of Meek Elementary and High Schools. The schools look to the Women’s Club for financial help, physical help, and tutoring. Furthermore, important recipients of our fundraising are Meek’s high school seniors. For many years, AWC has provided scholarships to deserving students who will further their studies after graduation. Scholarships are offered for vocational and college bound students. AWC supports the Winston County Arts Council which provides art, music and drama teachers, and supplies to our schools. This has become a huge asset to our students since the School District does not allocate funding for visual and performing arts. Whenever our schools need help, the AWC is there to assist. 

The Hamner family of Arley donated land several generations ago for a town park between C.R. 41 and Helicon Rd. It has always been a beautiful spot, however, not well-known. It went through several changes over the years. More recently, the Town of Arley acquired land adjacent to the original park to expand Hamner Park. Added was a sports complex, in addition to, 3 baseball diamonds with a concession stand, a soccer field, a playground for children and future room for basketball and tennis courts. In 2014, the AWC and Hamner family member, Peggy Norris, felt the walking trail and wooded area needed renovating. The Town Council agreed and the Women’s Club adopted the park as a major project. Dead trees were cleared out and the walking path was regraded and resurfaced. The AWC re-conditioned existing wood benches which advertise local businesses. We built a rustic gazebo (donated by the Hamner Family), therefore, making it perfect for musical performances, weddings, family pictures, and a beautiful place to sit and reflect. Picnic benches were added to encourage family gatherings thus making the park a lovely place to sit and relax. With help from Auburn University, Alabama Cooperative Extension, ADEM and Alabama Water Watch, the wetland areas have beenpreserved and information signs have been added. Now the walking trail and sports complex are an active place for local residents and visitors to enjoy….We love our park!

Hamner Park is the location of AWC’s annual “Arley Day” festival and car show held each May. A new, massive pavilion was built in 2007 near the playground. Picnic tables which will hold close to 100 people were donated by the Warren Hamner Family and constructed by a local eagle scout and his troop. The new pavilion is a centerpiece of the park, adding yet another feature for the community to enjoy.

Arley Women’s Club (AWC) had been supporting the library for over 30 years, since it was located in just a single trailer with no running water. In 2003, the group concentrated its efforts and set about building a two story library. The new library has served our community since 2005. We received funding and donations from local citizens, the Arley Town Council, state senators and corporate grants. As a result, we now have a beautiful library that will continue to meet the area’s needs. There is a computer room plus a special circulating section devoted to Southern authors. Also, used books are for sale and there are magazines and newspapers to browse. The children’s section continues to grow and is a welcome spot for kids of all ages. The meeting area on the 2nd floor hosts meetings, educational sessions, and gatherings on a regular basis. These meetings include the Arley Women’s Club, the Arley Book Club, a writer’s group, the library summer reading program, and the Arley Bridge Club.