GULF SHORES, Ala. — Construction on Laguna Cove Nature Park, a 53-acre conservation and passive-recreation project along the south shore of Little Lagoon, has reached the halfway mark, with the City of Gulf Shores now targeting an early 2027 opening — several months later than earlier projections that pointed to a fall debut.
The park sits at the western end of West Beach Boulevard, where 6,100 feet of undeveloped shoreline, wetlands and secondary dunes have long been considered some of the most ecologically valuable land left along the lagoon.
“The west end of the lagoon is very natural, and it is a great way for you to see nature and what’s really important to protect,” said Gulf Shores city spokesman Grant Brown.
From Development Site to Protected Habitat
The property was once part of a development proposal, but with almost no undeveloped shoreline left along Little Lagoon, city officials say preserving it took on new urgency.
“There is very little property left, none, anymore, so it was really important for us to preserve this and keep this in public use,” Brown said.
The City of Gulf Shores acquired the land in 2019 using $4.4 million in Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) funding administered by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. The city has since received a total of $6.4 million for the project, covering acquisition, engineering and design, construction and habitat restoration, and officials have said no general-fund tax dollars are being used to cover construction costs.
That money traces back to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement. Dan Bond, director of natural resources for the City of Gulf Shores, said the funding source underscores the project’s broader purpose.
“These NRDA funds came out of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and are a great example of using funding from the oil spill to restore and protect critical habitat along the Gulf coast,” Bond said.
Restoring Habitat Damaged by Decades of Storms
Beyond preserving open space, the project is designed to repair wetlands and dunes battered by storms dating back to Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Of the property’s 53 acres, 51 are set to be restored and permanently preserved, including wetlands and beach dunes.
Planned habitat improvements include osprey nesting structures and sand fencing to encourage dune growth and wildlife use, while new wetlands and submerged aquatic vegetation are expected to improve water quality throughout the Little Lagoon watershed.
“Protection of this important natural area will serve to enhance water quality and habitat for the Little Lagoon watershed while providing passive public recreation opportunities,” Bond said.
What Visitors Can Expect
Once complete, the low-impact park will give residents and visitors rare public access to the lagoon’s western shoreline. Planned amenities include an ADA-accessible kayak launch, a pier extending out over Little Lagoon for walking and fishing, birding trails, wetland boardwalks, shade pavilions and a small walkway network through the site.
“There will be many low-impact recreational opportunities in the park, including a kayak launch, birding trails, wetland boardwalks and shade pavilions,” Bond said.
“People can see what is being protected and then take value in that and keep it protected,” Brown added.
Construction Status
Crews are currently focused on site infrastructure and boardwalks. Curbing and concrete work are progressing, and the eastern boardwalk is nearly complete, with additional boardwalk construction continuing in the coming weeks. Asphalt Services is building the park under a $2.6 million contract, with design services provided by Goodwyn, Mills & Cawood.
With the project now about 50% complete, city officials say Laguna Cove Nature Park is on pace to open to the public in early 2027.