Wolf Creek Park Grant: Foley Gets $163,620 for Boardwalk, Observation Tower

FOLEY, Ala. — Foley will build a 115-foot elevated boardwalk, an observation tower and an accessible parking area at Wolf Creek Park with the help of a $163,620 state-administered grant, Gov. Kay Ivey’s office announced. The Wolf Creek Park grant is part of $1.2 million in Recreational Trails Program awards shared by six Alabama cities and towns to improve trails and outdoor recreation facilities.

According to the governor’s office, the boardwalk will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as will the new parking area. The city also plans to install signage at the park. Foley will contribute $40,905 of its own money toward the project in addition to the grant.

What the Wolf Creek Park grant will pay for

The project, as described in the governor’s announcement, includes:

• An elevated boardwalk: 115 feet long and built to Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
• An observation tower: a raised viewing point for park visitors.
• A parking area: also designed to comply with the ADA.
• Signage: which the city plans to install at the park.

Combined, the $163,620 grant and the city’s $40,905 contribution put the project’s funding at $204,525. The city’s share works out to 20 percent of that total, in line with the cost-sharing commonly required for Recreational Trails Program projects, in which the federal award typically covers up to 80 percent.

Elevated boardwalks are a common feature in coastal nature parks because they let visitors cross wet or low-lying ground without trampling sensitive vegetation or soils, and they keep paths usable after heavy rain. Building the boardwalk and parking to ADA standards means people who use wheelchairs, walkers or strollers will be able to reach and use the new features.

Ivey: projects will ‘boost the quality of life’

The grants were awarded to selected cities and towns to improve quality of life and enhance outdoor recreation, according to the governor’s office.

“These projects will encourage exercise and boost the quality of life for residents,” Ivey said. “I am pleased to award these funds, which will help create new opportunities for residents and visitors alike to appreciate the state’s natural beauty.”

Foley was one of six recipients sharing the $1.2 million round of funding.

About the Recreational Trails Program

The Recreational Trails Program is a federal program funded through the Federal Highway Administration and managed in Alabama by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, known as ADECA. ADECA administers a range of state and federal grants for local governments, including programs for recreation, community development and public safety.

Nationally, the Recreational Trails Program provides money to states to develop and maintain trails and trail-related facilities for both motorized and non-motorized recreation, such as hiking, biking, paddling and off-road riding. Its funding comes from a portion of the federal fuel taxes paid on gasoline used in off-highway recreation. States then award the money to local governments and other eligible groups through competitive grant rounds.

Typical projects include new trails, trailheads, boardwalks, bridges, restrooms, parking and signage, along with repair of existing trails. Projects generally require a local match, which is why Foley is putting its own money toward the Wolf Creek Park work.

Part of Foley’s investment in parks and nature areas

Foley has invested heavily in parks and nature spaces as the city has grown into one of the largest communities in south Baldwin County. The city operates a Nature Parks Department, and its nature properties, including the Graham Creek Nature Preserve, offer trails, paddling access and outdoor programs for residents and visitors.

Projects like the Wolf Creek Park improvements add to that network and make natural areas easier to reach for people of all ages and abilities. Baldwin County’s rapid growth has increased demand for outdoor recreation close to home, and the county’s creeks, wetlands and wooded areas are a large part of what draws residents and visitors to the region.

What happens next

The governor’s announcement did not include a construction timeline. Grant-funded projects of this kind generally move through design, permitting and bidding before construction begins, and the city must follow the program’s requirements for how the money is spent and documented.

Residents who want to follow the project can watch Foley City Council agendas, where grant agreements, contracts and related items are typically considered in public meetings, or contact the city for updates on Wolf Creek Park.