The NEW Gulf State Park Restored, Accessible, Sustainable!
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unded with early restoration dollars from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Gulf State Park Enhancement Project encompassed five distinct projects. As the components open, they fulfill the project’s mission of restoring public access to the bounty of natural resources of Gulf State Park. In addition to destroying many of the structures in coastal Alabama, 2004’s Hurricane Ivan also wiped out the dune system. A 2006 manmade primary dune restored the protection but because it was a solid wall of sand, it didn’t allow for interior dunes to develop. A dune restoration project cut openings in the primary dune, invasive and non-native species were removed, and native sea oats and other dune grasses were planted. The interior dunes are starting to grow, providing valuable habitat for protected species like our nesting shorebirds and the Alabama beach mouse and protecting inland areas from storms. A popular feature, the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system has expanded to nearly 28 miles of trails accessible for people of all abilities plus added three new educational Pause 22 DISCOVER COASTAL ALABAMA - SPRING/SUMMER 2019
Places, several engaging interpretive signs featuring the park’s diverse ecology and cultural history, and new wayfinding signage that also includes detailed ADA information. With 6,150 acres to explore, these trails provide easy access for hikers and cyclists while also providing car-free connections between the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Located adjacent to the popular Beach Pavilion, the new Interpretive Center (IC) serves as the gateway to the Park. An open air porch features interactive exhibits introducing people to the nine different ecosystems and their inhabitants. Arguably Alabama’s most environmentally-friendly building, the IC is designed to meet the world’s most rigorous building standards. It is pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Platinum standards and was the very first building certified under the new FORTIFIED Commercial standard as being more resilient to storm events. Not content to stop there, the Interpretive Center is also pursuing full Living Building Challenge certification. The building will be proving over 12 months that it is generating more solar energy than it needs and collecting
