Orange Beach Recreation Campus Expansion Plans Continue to Move Forward
New courts, parking, and green space highlight the long-term campus plan
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach officials are moving forward with plans to expand and improve the city’s Recreation Campus. The site has grown significantly over the past two decades and now serves as a central hub for residents and visitors. City leaders say the goal is to better meet rising demand. Proposed upgrades focus on safety, access, and expanded recreational options.
The campus began in the 1990s with just two tennis courts and ballfields. Major additions followed in the early 2000s, including the Tennis Center, Aquatics Center, Recreation Center, and Community Center. Over the past six years, the city has added a new gymnasium, a fitness center, and a pickleball complex, which opened in May. The Recreation Center has also become home to the Expect Excellence program, which provides Orange Beach children with arts, academic, and athletic programs, after-school care, and summer camps.
After years of growth without a unified design, City Engineer Chris Pappas developed a new master plan under the direction of the city administration. The plan outlines conceptual improvements, including more than 200 new parking spaces, dedicated golf cart parking, four new tennis courts, and upgraded sidewalks and crosswalks. It also features an artificial-turf multipurpose field adjacent to the Recreation Center, designed to serve the Expect Excellence program, as well as overall site beautification.
City Administrator Ford Handley praised the unified approach to the campus. “This is one of the most exciting projects our City has undertaken,” Handley said. “The Recreation Campus is among our most heavily used community assets, serving residents and visitors of all ages year-round. 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 emphasized that the upgrades represent a direct investment in local 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,” Ard 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 to take the conceptual plan and prepare formal designs before the project is bid out. The City Council is scheduled to vote at its next meeting on June 16 on a task order with Sawgrass Consulting for professional civil engineering and land surveying services, not to exceed $170,600. Officials aim to have the project bid out before the end of the year, with construction slated for completion in 2027.
Separate improvements are already taking shape nearby at Contorno Park, a 14-acre property the city purchased in July 2024. Once complete, the park will offer scenic walking trails around a pond, picnic areas, and open green space. The site's existing home has been converted into administrative offices for the Parks and Recreation Department.
Ard noted that the property will provide a crucial balance to the busier athletic facilities. “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.”
The Orange Beach Aquatics Center is also slated for a major renovation and expansion to transform it into a modern, multi-use facility. Planning and design are underway to expand the existing six-lane pool to eight lanes to better serve high school and recreational swim teams, fitness swimmers, lessons, and community programs. A new recreational pool will also be added to support classes, open swim, and family use, and it will include an interactive splash pad. To keep the facility operational for the public, construction will be phased, with a target completion date of 2027.
In tandem with the brick-and-mortar upgrades, the city is expanding its seasonal community programming. Parks and Recreation Month will be celebrated throughout July with a patriotic flair, centered on the theme “The Power of Parks & Recreation: Power of Community - America’s 250,” to honor the nation's 250th birthday.
The festivities will kick off on July 1 at the Senior Center with a "Rock and Roll Tie-Dye Americana Party." Mid-month, residents can gather for a "Pop-Up Park & Block Party" on Saturday, July 11, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at John Snook Park. Activities will continue throughout the month, culminating on July 31 with a special after-dark summer sendoff, "Summer Sendoff - Park after Dark."
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