The Orange Beach Recreation Campus has grown substantially over the past two decades, evolving from two tennis courts and a handful of ballfields in the 1990s into one of the busiest hubs of community life in the city. Now, city officials are working on a comprehensive master plan to guide the campus’s next phase of growth.
The early 2000s brought construction of the Tennis Center, the Aquatics Center, the Recreation Center and a new Community Center. Over just the past six years, the campus has added a new Recreation Center gymnasium, a new Fitness Center and, most recently, a Pickleball Complex that opened in May. The Recreation Center is also home to the city’s Expect Excellence program, which provides Orange Beach children with arts, academic and athletics programming, after-school care and summer camps.
A Master Plan Takes Shape
Because the campus grew over time without a single cohesive master plan, City Engineer Chris Pappas set out to map a more efficient, enhanced and safer layout for the site, working under direction from city administration. The conceptual improvements now on the table include dedicated golf cart parking, more than 200 new parking spaces, four additional tennis courts, improved sidewalks and crosswalks, an artificial turf multipurpose field next to the Recreation Center to serve the Expect Excellence program, and broader site beautification.
“This is one of the most exciting projects our City has undertaken,” said City Administrator Ford Handley. “The Recreation Campus is among our most heavily used community assets, serving residents and visitors of all ages throughout the year. The addition of new green space at Contorno Park will provide a significant amenity for residents on the east side of town, while improvements to parking and circulation will better accommodate golf carts, vehicles, school program participants, and users of the campus’s many recreational facilities. Our vision is to create a destination where every member of the family can connect, play, relax, and enjoy activities that match their interests.”
Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Ard said the planned improvements reflect the city’s continued investment in residents’ quality of life. “Whether it’s additional tennis courts, new recreational spaces, safer pedestrian access, or expanded parking, every improvement is designed to enhance the experience for our residents,” she said. “These projects will help us meet the needs of a growing community while preserving the welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere that makes Orange Beach such a special place to live.”
The next step is turning the conceptual plan into detailed designs so the project can be put out for bid. The Orange Beach City Council was set to vote at its June 16 meeting on a task order with Sawgrass Consulting to provide professional civil engineering and land surveying services, at a cost not to exceed $170,600. City officials hope to have the project bid out before the end of the year, with construction wrapping up in 2027.
Contorno Park Takes Shape
Adjacent to the Recreation Campus, the city’s July 2024 purchase of 14 acres is developing into Contorno Park. Once complete, the park will include scenic walking trails around a pond, picnic areas and open green space intended as a quiet outdoor retreat. An existing home on the property currently serves as administrative offices for the Parks and Recreation Department.
“Contorno Park represents another exciting opportunity to expand recreational and outdoor experiences for our community,” Ard said. “As a passive park focused on walking, nature, and relaxation, it will provide residents with a beautiful new space to enjoy the outdoors while further connecting the Recreation Campus and surrounding areas.”
Aquatics Center Renovation Underway
The Orange Beach Aquatics Center is also slated for renovation and expansion. Planning and design work is underway to transform the facility into a modern, multi-use complex. The project will expand the existing six-lane pool to eight lanes to better serve high school and recreational swim teams, fitness swimmers, lessons and community programming. A new recreational pool with an interactive splash pad will also be added to support classes, open swim and family use. Construction will be phased so the facility can remain operational throughout the process, with completion targeted for 2027.
Programming Continues to Expand
As the campus’s facilities grow, so does its programming. Parks and Recreation Month was set to be celebrated in July under the theme “The Power of Parks & Recreation: Power of Community – America’s 250,” tying in a patriotic nod to the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday. The Senior Center kicked off the month’s celebration on July 1 with a Rock and Roll Tie-Dye Americana Party, followed by a Pop-Up Park & Block Party on July 11 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at John Snook Park. Additional activities and programs ran throughout the month, capped off by a “Summer Sendoff – Park after Dark” event on July 31.