Alabama State Parks celebrated the opening of a 4.4-mile extension of the Fort Morgan Trail at Gulf State Park during a rainy late-August ribbon cutting attended by community leaders, elected officials and Alabama State Parks staff.
The extension brings the Fort Morgan Trail to approximately 10.5 miles along Fort Morgan Road.
What Was Built
The new section extends westward from Plantation Boulevard to a new terminus near Fort Morgan Pizza, giving visitors additional opportunities to experience the coastal landscape on foot or by bicycle.
The trail is paved and 10 feet wide along its entire length, providing a safe and accessible route for walkers, runners and cyclists.
A 10-foot width is the standard that allows two-way bicycle traffic to coexist with pedestrians without conflict. Narrower shared-use paths force cyclists and walkers into the same line of travel, which is the primary source of friction on multi-use trails.
Twelve Bridges
The extension includes 12 bridges designed to help preserve critical coastal wetlands along the route.
Bridging rather than filling is the more expensive choice and the environmentally sound one. A trail built on fill through wetlands interrupts the sheet flow of water across a marsh, altering hydrology on both sides; a bridged crossing leaves that flow intact. Twelve bridges in 4.4 miles indicates a route that repeatedly crosses sensitive ground.
A new bathhouse featuring four private, family-style suites sits at the terminus, providing facilities for trail users at the western end.
Connecting to a Larger Network
The Fort Morgan Trail connects with the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail system, giving visitors access to a network of approximately 28 miles of paved trails throughout Gulf State Park and extending to Orange Beach.
That connection is what elevates the extension beyond a local amenity. A standalone 10-mile trail serves the people who live near it; a 10-mile trail feeding into a 28-mile network becomes a destination in its own right for cyclists planning a day rather than an hour.
What Officials Said
“This is a great day for south Baldwin County,” said Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship. “Extending the Fort Morgan Trail gives residents and visitors more opportunities to walk, bike and enjoy the beauty of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Projects like this create new ways for people to experience the outdoors, support tourism and enhance the quality of life for the communities we serve.”
State Sen. Chris Elliott framed the project in economic as well as recreational terms. “Extending the Fort Morgan Trail is a win for residents and visitors alike,” Elliott said. “Trails like this draw tourists to our coast, support local businesses and give our families a safe, beautiful place to be outside together. It’s always good to offer more outdoor recreational facilities along our beautiful Gulf Coast.”
Where the Money Came From
The $5.6 million project was funded by the federal RESTORE Act, which uses civil and administrative penalties paid under the Clean Water Act by companies responsible for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Under the act, that funding supports programs, projects and activities designed to restore and protect the environment and economy of the Gulf Coast region.
Sixteen years after the spill, RESTORE Act dollars continue to underwrite a substantial share of coastal Alabama’s public infrastructure — a funding stream that exists because of the disaster and that will eventually be exhausted.
Part of a Broader Investment
The Fort Morgan Trail extension is one piece of a wider Alabama State Parks effort to improve facilities and expand recreational opportunities across the state.
Recent projects include the new RV Resort at Gulf State Park, construction of a new access road at Rickwood Caverns State Park, and the total renovation and reopening of Lake Lurleen State Park. A new 32-room bluff-side lodge at Cheaha State Park is expected to open later this year.
“We’re thrilled to see the Fort Morgan Trail extended because trails like this one bring people outside, connect them to nature and give everyone another reason to spend time on our gorgeous Gulf Coast,” said Alabama State Parks Director Matthew Capps. “We’re continuing to invest in places that give families and visitors opportunities to explore, make memories and experience what makes Alabama special.”
Using the Trail
The trail runs along Fort Morgan Road, with the new western terminus near Fort Morgan Pizza and the bathhouse facilities located there. Cyclists and walkers can connect eastward into Gulf State Park and the Backcountry Trail system.
Early morning and late afternoon are generally the most comfortable windows for extended trail use in September along the Gulf Coast, and the paved, accessible surface makes the route usable by strollers and wheelchairs as well as bicycles.