Gulf Shores Kids Park Redesign Approved: $1.1 Million Inclusive Playground to Start Construction in 2027

GULF SHORES, Ala. — The Gulf Shores City Council has approved an updated design for the Gulf Shores Kids Park, clearing the way for a $1.1 million replacement of the beloved 1996 playground with new accessible, sensory-rich and inclusive play features. Construction will now begin in early 2027, so families can keep using the existing playground through Christmas break.

The council signed off on the proposal at its Monday, Sept. 28, meeting. The design was developed by Leathers & Associates, a playground design firm, with input from Gulf Shores families, students and community members, according to the city.

Gulf Shores Kids Park redesign keeps the original’s spirit

The city has said from the start that the goal is not to erase the old playground but to carry it forward. According to the city, the new design aims to preserve the spirit of the original playground, built in 1996, while adding features that make it easier for more children to play there.

The city highlighted three kinds of additions. In general playground-design terms, they mean:

• Accessible features intended to make the playground usable by children of varying physical abilities.
• Sensory-rich elements designed to engage children through touch, sound, sight and movement.
• Inclusive play areas that allow children of different ages and abilities to play side by side.

The city has not yet released detailed drawings or a full list of individual play structures in its announcement. Residents who want to see specifics can watch for future updates from the city as construction approaches.

Safety surfacing was the biggest design decision

According to the city, one of the most significant components reviewed during the design process was safety surfacing — the material on the ground beneath and around play equipment that cushions falls.

After evaluating options with Leathers & Associates and the City Council Recreation Committee, the city will use a combination of engineered wood fiber and artificial turf. The city said the approach provides:

• Improved accessibility
• Long-term durability
• Reduced maintenance
• Cost efficiency

Engineered wood fiber is a processed wood product commonly used on playgrounds. Unlike ordinary mulch, it is designed to knit together into a firmer surface that wheelchairs, walkers and strollers can more easily cross while still absorbing impact. Artificial turf installed over a cushioning layer is another common playground surface that offers a smooth, continuous path. Using a mix allows designers to put different materials where each works best.

That choice carries a cost. The surfacing plan is the reason the project’s budget grew beyond what the city originally set aside, as detailed below.

Built from recycled plastic to last 30 years

The replacement playground will be built primarily with recycled plastic lumber, which the city says is expected to last at least 30 years. The city said the material choice is meant to ensure the new Kids Park will serve Gulf Shores families “for generations to come.”

Recycled plastic lumber is made largely from post-consumer plastics formed into boards and posts. It does not rot, splinter or need painting the way natural wood does — characteristics that matter in a coastal setting with heat, humidity, salt air and heavy daily use.

Construction timeline shifts to early 2027

The city said construction will shift to early 2027 to avoid disruptions. The adjustment means the existing playground will remain open for residents to enjoy through Christmas break.

For families, that keeps the familiar playground available through the busy fall and holiday season, including school breaks when local children are most likely to use it. The city has not announced a specific start date in January or later, how long construction is expected to take, or when the new playground is expected to open.

Key dates

• 1996: Original Kids Park playground built.
• Sept. 28, 2026: Gulf Shores City Council approves the updated Leathers & Associates design.
• Through Christmas break 2026: Existing playground remains open.
• Early 2027: Construction of the replacement playground expected to begin.

Kids Park budget rises to $1.1 million

The city’s 2026 capital budget includes $950,000 for the Kids Park replacement. An additional $150,000 is needed to support the approved safety surfacing plan, bringing the total project budget to $1,100,000.

By the numbers

• $950,000: amount included for the project in the 2026 capital budget.
• $150,000: additional funding required for the approved safety surfacing.
• $1,100,000: total project budget.
• 30 years: minimum expected lifespan of the recycled plastic lumber.
• 1996: the year the original playground was built — making it 30 years old this year.

A city’s capital budget is the portion of its spending plan set aside for long-lasting assets such as buildings, roads, parks and equipment, as opposed to day-to-day operating expenses like salaries and utilities.

Community input shaped the design

The city emphasized that the new design grew out of public participation. Families, students and community members contributed ideas, memories and feedback throughout the process, according to the city, which thanked residents for that input.

“Your input continues to guide the creation of a new Kids Park that reflects the same charm and heart as the original beloved playground,” the city said in its announcement.

Leathers & Associates is known for community-driven playground design, in which local children and families help shape what gets built.

What we know and what we don’t yet know

What we know

• The City Council approved the Leathers & Associates design on Sept. 28.
• The playground will use engineered wood fiber and artificial turf for safety surfacing.
• It will be built primarily of recycled plastic lumber expected to last at least 30 years.
• Construction will begin in early 2027, and the current playground stays open through Christmas break.
• The total budget is $1.1 million.

What we don’t know yet

• The exact construction start date and how long the park will be closed.
• The specific play structures and features in the final design.
• Whether volunteers will be involved in the build.
• The target date for the new playground’s opening.

Why it matters to Gulf Shores families

Kids Park has served local families and visitors for three decades, long enough that many of today’s parents may have played there themselves as children. Replacing a community landmark can be an emotional decision, which is why the city has stressed continuity with the original even as it updates the playground for a new generation.

The shift toward accessible and inclusive design also means children who may have had difficulty using older equipment — including those who use wheelchairs or other mobility devices, and children with sensory processing differences — should have more ways to play alongside their siblings and friends.

The Gulf Shores project comes as other Baldwin County beach communities invest in their playgrounds; neighboring Orange Beach recently closed its own Kids Park playground for several days to install shade sails.

What happens next

With the council’s approval in hand, the city and Leathers & Associates will move toward construction in early 2027. Until then, the existing Kids Park remains open, and residents are encouraged to enjoy it through the holidays.

Gulf Shores residents can follow future council agendas and city announcements for updates on the construction schedule and the playground’s eventual reopening.