Sands of Time

Leave Only Footprints

Alabama's Gulf Coast is a beautiful place to live, work and play. No one knows this any better than me. Because our beaches of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are so important to us, both cities voted in ordinances in 2016 to protect our beaches. In 2015, both cities’ officials knew something Long had to be done about trash being left on the beach. Not only is it dangerous to people but also wildlife, especially our nesting turtles.

Each year more than 5 million visitors travel from across the nation and the world to enjoy our beautiful water and white sandy beaches. A beach vacation is a time for rest and relaxation, and my cities want it to be the “Best” vacation. We ask that to make your trip more carefree you need to know beach regulations prior to your travels. Each of us is responsible for protecting our beaches, and that’s why my cities strive to provide a safe, clean, family friendly environment for everyone visiting. To help you do your part here are a few tips for our coast responsibly, along with some rules, regulations and resources.

Pick up beach chairs, gather beach toys, fold and carry out tents, and recycle or throw away all trash in a designated receptacle. All abandoned items will be removed for the protection of our beaches and local wildlife one hour after sunset.

If we follow these rules we will continue to have the most beautiful beaches in the world. Remember LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS. If you want more information go to cleanisland.org.

Local historian Margaret Childress Long moved to Orange Beach from Evergreen when she was just two months shy of her second birthday. Although she did spend 12 years in Creola she has always called Orange Beach home. Margaret and her husband Buddy live in the same house where Margaret’s parents lived for more than 50 years. Her dad paid $12,500 to Dr. Amos Garret of Robertsdale, her mom’s first cousin, in 1949 for the 300 ft. waterfront parcel. A teacher at Fairhope Middle and High Schools and Elberta Middle School, Margaret served the island as school board representative for six years. A fisherman, hunter and farmer, her father also owned a farm in Summerdale. Sons Wesley and Brooks have turned the farm into the popular Alligator Alley tourist attraction.

Margaret has co-authored two books, “The Best Place to Be – The Story of Orange Beach, Alabama” and “Orange Beach Alabama – A Pictorial History”