Bay Minette’s Kids Park to Get $900,000 Makeover Through State Energy Grant
Bay Minette has been awarded a $900,000 GOMESA grant to overhaul Kids Park with a new restroom, walkways, playground equipment, an outdoor classroom and more lighting.
Kids Park in Bay Minette is set for a major overhaul after the city was awarded a $900,000 grant through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act, Gov. Kay Ivey announced Aug. 20.
The funding will pay for a sweeping renovation of the recreational facility at 303 McMillan Ave., one of Bay Minette's most familiar community gathering spots. Planned improvements include a new restroom facility, upgraded walkways, modern playground equipment, an outdoor classroom space and additional lighting throughout the park.
City officials said the project is also designed to spotlight the park's natural setting while making it safer, more accessible and more welcoming for children and families of all ages and abilities.
A Longtime Community Gathering Spot
Bay Minette Mayor Joshua Brown said the park has served generations of local families and remains a cherished part of the community.
"Kids Park has been an important place for families in Bay Minette for many years, and it holds a special place in the hearts of so many residents. This grant is a meaningful investment in a space where future generations will continue to play, learn and make lasting memories," Brown said in a news release announcing the award. "We are incredibly grateful for Governor Ivey's support and the continued partnership through GOMESA. These improvements will create a safer, more accessible, and more inviting space for residents of all ages, and we are excited to see this project move forward for the benefit of our entire community."
What Is GOMESA?
The Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act directs a share of federal revenue from offshore oil and gas leasing in the Gulf of Mexico back to coastal states, including Alabama, for coastal conservation, restoration and infrastructure projects. In Alabama, the program has become a key funding source for local governments looking to upgrade parks, boat launches and other public amenities without tapping city budgets directly.
The Bay Minette award is part of a broader round of GOMESA grants distributed to communities across the state, reflecting the program's continued role in supporting recreational infrastructure in Alabama's coastal region.
City leaders did not release a construction timeline, but said design and planning work is expected to move forward now that the grant has been finalized.
