The Lake Shelby picnic area at Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores, Alabama, will close for renovations on Monday, November 2, 2020. The entire Lake Shelby area will be fenced and closed to the public for the duration of the renovation process. However, trail access near the lake will remain open throughout the project. The renovations are expected to be completed by summer 2021.
Enhancements to the Lake Shelby area will include a modern playground with three areas for different age groups, separate small and large dog parks with covered seating and water fountains, new bathrooms, an improved parking area, a new tram stop, and a bikeshare station for public use within the park.
During the improvements at Lake Shelby, four additional projects will begin in other areas of the park. Additional parking will be constructed north of the fishing pier parking lot. A parking area and tram stop will be constructed across from the middle beach walkover where South Campground Road intersects East Beach Boulevard. Additional amenities will be added at the Beach Pavilion to accommodate volunteers, staff, weddings and other events. Lastly, traffic signs will be updated throughout the 6,150-acre park.
“We are pleased to announce these improvements to Gulf State Park,” said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “This project has been in the works for several months. Thankfully, we were able to remain on schedule as we also continue the extensive cleanup and repairs associated with Hurricane Sally. In recent years this park has become a model for how to blend environmental sustainability with public access to our beautiful coastal landscape. We are looking forward to sharing these new enhancements with the public in the coming months.”
About Gulf State Park
Showcasing the best of Alabama’s coast, Gulf State Park features a state-of-the art, environmentally friendly lodge; improved and primitive camping; miles of hiking trails; access to the state’s sugar sand beaches; and much more. The park’s close proximity to Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, Fairhope and Mobile offers park guests several retail and restaurant options to choose from. The 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center, Weeks Bay Reserve, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park and Meaher State Park are also a short drive away. Learn more at www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park.
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