RESTORED, ACCESSIBLE, SUSTAINABLE

The NEW Gulf State Park

The new Interpretive Center located adjacent to the Beach Pavilion serves as the gateway to the Park.

Restored, Accessible,Sustainable!

Funded 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

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

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and treating more rainwater onsite for human use than it needs. Only 21 buildings in the world have achieved this certification to date and the Interpretive Center will be the first in Alabama and in the South.

Rebuilding the Lodge was the keystone of the project. The original lodge opened in 1974 and became an iconic part of the coastal community during its 30 years of operation before being destroyed by Hurricane Ivan (its popularity provided much-needed financial support to the rest of Alabama’s state park system and it was important to restore that funding source for all Alabamians). Once funding was approved, the project team wanted to build iconic facilities that would put Alabama on the international map of environmental and economic sustainability. Shrinking the footprint from the original lodge’s 42 acres to about 16 acres, but more than doubling capacity from 144 guest rooms to 350, while also pursuing LEED Gold and FOR- TIFIED Commercial certifications, the buildings are designed to reduce energy usage by 32% and water usage by 35% over a similar facility. Condensation from the guest room HVAC system is

collected, filtered and used to refill the pool, saving an average of 14,000 gallons per month. Sensors on the guest room doors and windows allow guests to leave the doors and windows open to enjoy the fresh Gulf breezes, but also shut off the HVAC system to save energy. The first hospitality project in the world to pursue SITES Platinum certification, which focuses on responsible development respectful of the environment, the Lodge is a 100% nonsmoking property, refrains from using harmful chemicals as much as possible, and uses native landscaping that doesn’t require irrigation or chemical pesticides. You won’t find a manicured lawn here in the middle of our dune system! The buildings were also set about 225 feet further back from the Gulf to allow for dune growth and are elevated an extra three feet higher than required for anticipated storm surge.

The trio of certifications will make the Lodge at Gulf State Park unique in the world of hospitality, but it isn’t just about the design and construction but also in how it is operated. With a commitment to sustainability, the Lodge reduces single-use plastics and recycles where possible. Bulk dispensers in the guest

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rooms provide high-end amenities, potable water comes in plant-based bottles designed to be refillable, straws are made out of hay or bamboo, to-go containers are made of environmentally-friendly materials, and lights use energy-saving LED bulbs.

Interpretive signs feature the park’s diverse ecology and cultural history.

The Interpretive Center's open air porch features interactive exhibits showcasing nine different ecosystems.

The last piece of the puzzle is the Learning Campus. Pursuing LEED Silver and FORTIFIED Commercial certifications, the Learning Campus is designed to be the educational basecamp for the Park. With two 32-bed bunkhouses, a 200-seat auditorium, and four classroom spaces plus a lab, groups ranging from school kids and teachers, scout troops, family reunions, and others, will have an economical lodging option while having easy access to a variety of educational programs. Partnering with the Gulf Coast Center for Ecotourism & Sustainability and other local environmental educators and facilities, will allow a variety of audiences to learn about nature while being surrounded by it.

If it has been a while since you’ve explored Gulf State Park, you have many reasons to come see these wonderful new assets that will make all of Alabama proud for being leaders in sustainable tourism and responsible development.

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The Learning Campus is designed to be the educational basecamp for the Park.

Photo: Tad Denson.

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