Visitors to Foley’s nature parks will soon enjoy new amenities, including restrooms, trail signage and a pavilion, as the city continues investing in outdoor recreation and conservation facilities.
The Foley City Council recently approved plans to move forward with several projects at city nature parks, including improvements at Graham Creek Nature Preserve and Wolf Creek Park.
At Graham Creek Nature Preserve, the city will begin the design process for new restrooms and a pavilion to be located on Russian Road. According to Leslie Gahagan, Foley’s sustainability and natural resources director, the facilities will provide convenient access for visitors using the preserve’s trail system and disc golf courses.
“These facilities would serve all of our disc golf courses in the back, as well as the trailheads in that area,” Gahagan said. “We would like to complete the design this year, see what prices come back to us and then start construction next year.”
The improvements will follow completion of paving work on Russian Road, which is currently being completed by Baldwin County.
The city is also enhancing the visitor experience at Graham Creek Nature Preserve through the installation of new trail signage. The City Council approved the transfer of funding needed to begin the signage project, which will help visitors navigate the preserve’s extensive trail network.
In addition, Foley is seeking funding through the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs Recreational Trails Program for a new overlook boardwalk at Wolf Creek Park. If awarded, the grant would cover 80 percent of the project cost.
The grant would pay 80% of the costs to build a boardwalk and observation deck that ensures that the improvements provide the best access for everyone using the facility.
The projects are part of the city’s ongoing efforts to improve recreational opportunities and expand access to Foley’s natural resources for residents and visitors.