Foley’s Wolf Creek Park Wins Recreational Trails Program Grant Among Six Projects

Foley’s Wolf Creek Park is in line for a new elevated boardwalk and observation tower after the city was awarded a $163,620 grant through the federal Recreational Trails Program, one of six outdoor recreation projects across Alabama sharing $1.2 million in funding.

The grants, announced by Gov. Kay Ivey and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, will pay for new trails, campsites, overlooks and related improvements in Foley, Anniston, Decatur, Garden City, Mentone and Sylvania. Each community is putting up local matching money to help cover the cost of its project.

“Well-maintained trails are beneficial to people of all ages and make communities more attractive places to live,” ADECA Director Kenneth Boswell said. “ADECA is pleased to join Gov. Ivey in support of these projects offering new ways to enjoy the outdoors.”

What’s planned for Wolf Creek Park

Foley’s project calls for a 115-foot elevated boardwalk, an observation tower and a parking area at Wolf Creek Park, a city park known locally as a launch point for kayakers. The boardwalk and the parking area will be built to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the city also plans to add signage at the park.

Ivey notified Foley Mayor Ralph Hellmich that the grant had been approved. The city will contribute a $40,905 local match, bringing the total value of the project to $204,525.

Building the improvements to ADA standards matters for a park like Wolf Creek. Federal accessibility guidelines address features such as accessible parking spaces, firm and stable surfaces, gentle slopes and railings, which allow visitors who use wheelchairs, walkers or strollers to reach areas that might otherwise be off-limits to them. An elevated boardwalk can also carry visitors across soft or wet ground near the water without disturbing the surrounding landscape.

The Wolf Creek project is the only one of the six located in southwest Alabama. It adds to a growing list of outdoor amenities in Baldwin County, where trails, waterways and parks are a draw for both residents and visitors.

About the Recreational Trails Program

The Recreational Trails Program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration and administered in Alabama by ADECA, the state agency that manages a wide range of federal and state grant programs for communities.

Congress created the program in the early 1990s to help states build and maintain trails and trail-related facilities. Its money comes from a portion of the federal fuel taxes paid on gasoline used for off-highway recreation, such as fuel for off-road vehicles, and it supports both motorized and non-motorized trail projects. Under the program’s rules, the federal government generally pays up to 80% of a project’s cost, with the remaining share coming from the local sponsor.

That 80-20 split is reflected in this year’s awards. In each of the six projects, the local match equals one-fifth of the total cost. Combined, the six grants total $1,221,680 in federal money, and the communities are adding $305,420 in local matching funds, for a total investment of more than $1.5 million in outdoor recreation.

Anniston: Linking a museum and event center

Anniston will receive $199,180 to build a connective concourse trail between the Berman Museum and the Longleaf Event Center. The trail will be 950 feet long and 8 feet wide. Ivey informed Mayor Ciara Smith-Roston of the approval, and the city will provide a $49,795 local match.

Decatur: Extending the Dinsmore Slough Trail

The largest grant in this round, $321,129, goes to Decatur for trailhead parking and a new biking and walking trail stretching 7,750 feet, nearly a mile and a half, at a width of 8 feet. The new trail will connect to the existing Dinsmore Slough Trail at the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge along the Tennessee River in north Alabama. Ivey informed Mayor Kent Lawrence of the award, and the city will put up $80,282 in matching funds.

Garden City: RV campsites at the river park

The Cullman County town of Garden City will receive $297,751 to build eight recreational vehicle campsites with water, sanitary sewer and electrical hookups. The town also plans a trail connecting the new campsites to existing amenities and the kayak launch at Garden City River Park. Ivey informed Mayor Timothy Eskew of the approval, and the town will contribute $74,438 in matching funds.

Mentone: A new overlook at Brow Park

Mentone, a DeKalb County town atop Lookout Mountain, will receive $160,000 for additions at Brow Park. Plans include 900 feet of 6-foot-wide trail, a 20-foot-by-20-foot elevated overlook and a parking area that meets ADA requirements. Ivey informed Mayor Rob Hammond of the approval, and the town will contribute $40,000.

Sylvania: Restoring a memorial trail

Also in DeKalb County, the town of Sylvania will receive $80,000 to rehabilitate the existing quarter-mile Kendra Dendy Currie Memorial Trail in Sylvania Town Park. Ivey informed Mayor Terry McClendon of the approval, and the town will contribute a $20,000 match.

The six projects at a glance

• Foley — Wolf Creek Park boardwalk, observation tower and parking: $163,620 grant; $40,905 local match.
• Anniston — Berman Museum-to-Longleaf Event Center trail: $199,180 grant; $49,795 local match.
• Decatur — Dinsmore Slough Trail extension and trailhead parking: $321,129 grant; $80,282 local match.
• Garden City — Eight RV campsites and connecting trail at Garden City River Park: $297,751 grant; $74,438 local match.
• Mentone — Brow Park trail, overlook and parking: $160,000 grant; $40,000 local match.
• Sylvania — Kendra Dendy Currie Memorial Trail rehabilitation: $80,000 grant; $20,000 local match.

What happens next

With the grants approved, each city and town will move forward with design, permitting and construction of its project. Recreational Trails Program awards generally work on a reimbursement basis, meaning local governments complete eligible work and then receive federal funds to cover the approved share of the cost.

No construction timeline for the Wolf Creek Park improvements was included in the announcement. Residents interested in the project’s progress can follow updates from the City of Foley.