By 
April 21, 2026
When your car hits a bump in the road, knowing what to do can make all the difference. Basic car care may sound simple but many people, especially women, are not taught how to handle it. That knowledge gap is exactly where a program like Girls Garage steps in.
Huntsville Parks & Recreation’s Girls Garage returned after its fall 2025 debut drew an outstanding response from residents. The program empowers women and girls to build confidence in basic car care and maintenance. The free, hands-on workshops are open to ages 15 and older and teach practical skills such as checking oil levels, jump-starting a battery, changing a tire and more.
A place to start
At Brahan Spring Recreation Center, women and girls arrive and check in for a Saturday workshop. Some are excited, others more hesitant, both stepping outside their comfort zones to try something new. Friendly staff welcome participants as they begin introducing themselves. As conversation builds, nervousness fades, making way for curiosity and connection.
Girls Garage was created by Brahan Spring Recreation Center Supervisor Melissa Long, who has been with Parks & Recreation for six years and has served as supervisor for nearly a year. A car enthusiast in her own time, Long works on vehicles outside of her professional role and is passionate about turning personal interests into hands-on learning opportunities for others.
“I hope participants leave with a real sense of accomplishment and confidence,” Long said. “My goal is for them to realize that if they can learn this, they can learn so much more. I want them to walk away thinking, ‘If I can do this, what else can I do?’”
Learning together
Long opens the session by welcoming participants and introducing them to City of Huntsville Fleet Services mechanics who help lead the workshop. With multiple mechanics on site, participants receive more hands-on time and focused instruction as they learn and practice new skills.
As the workshop continues, early nerves begin to fade. Cheers break out from station to station as participants complete tasks for the first time. A 15-year-old driver changes her first tire, met with applause from the group. Moments later, a longtime driver does the same, proving it is never too late to learn.
“Girls Garage was a really positive and empowering experience,” said participant Sammy Kandregula. “The instructors were helpful and professional and they took time to answer questions and guide us through each skill. It was inspiring to see so many women focused on building independence and confidence. I’m glad I went and I feel confident now that I could handle things like changing a tire on my own if I needed to.”
Participants swap stories about roadside challenges and share a growing sense of confidence in handling the unexpected. Across the lot, women of all ages and backgrounds work side by side, learning skills that can save time and improve safety on the road. Along with tire changes, they also learn practical maintenance tips, such as how to check brake pads.
More than mechanics
The workshops are open to women and girls ages 15 and older. One school-aged girl attends alongside her mother to observe, an early introduction that can help shape confidence over time. Watching women learn and problem-solve in real time makes these skills feel more approachable and more possible.
Throughout the workshop, confidence builds not just through instruction but through encouragement, shared experience and small moments of success.
Looking ahead
“Programs like Girls Garage reflect what Parks & Recreation is all about, creating opportunities that meet people where they are and give residents of all ages and backgrounds a place to learn, grow and build confidence,” said Parks & Recreation Director James Gossett. “As we continue to create programming, we are focused on opportunities that strengthen connection across the community.”
Programs like Girls Garage do more than teach car care. They create space for learning, connection and growth, equipping participants with skills they can carry long after the workshop ends.
There is one remaining spring session scheduled for Saturday, May 16, from 9 to 10 a.m. and registration is open now.
Additional opportunities will be available through upcoming Parks & Recreation summer programs. Residents can browse and register through Parks & Recreation’s online registration platform.
