Fairhope Working Waterfront Project Upgrades Iconic Park

By DAVID RAINER, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Fairhope, the idyllic city on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, recently showcased the results of the Fairhope Working Waterfront and Greenspace Project that added another layer of charm to the community already ranked fourth among Southern Living magazine's top small towns in the South for 2026.

Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan, Fairhope City Council President Jimmy Conyers and Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), welcomed a crowd at the Fairhope Rose Garden to celebrate the completion of the project that included numerous aspects of construction and restoration, including the Fairhope Pier, South Beach Park, Rose Garden and fountain.

"We started working on this project in April 2024, so almost two years to the date, we are here to dedicate this park back to the community," Mayor Sullivan said. "Growing up here and having numerous generations of my family here, I knew we wanted to keep the tradition of this spot. But we needed to have upgrades done and see what infrastructure was compromised from years of hurricane abuse. The fountain was crumbling. The pumps were not the right size. The south side had some issues with the seawall. So, there were a lot of things to be done."

The Rose Garden was reworked and the fountain and seawall on the south side were rebuilt. Sidewalks were renovated and a new restroom facility was added. The completed project is also Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant.

"It's a fantastic project," the Mayor said. "I'm so proud of everybody who has been involved with it."

City Council President Conyers said the project was approached very cautiously to ensure one of the most historic features of Fairhope would pay homage to the legacy of the area.

"For the Mayor and City Council and elected officials, the thought of touching the most beautiful, iconic piece of Fairhope is a little bit scary because it was so great already," Conyers said. "What we've managed to do is spruce up one of the most special parts of Fairhope. We've got the Dogwood Trail Maids, the Bay, the giant American flag, the fountain behind us. I think the only thing that could make this more of an iconic moment is if we were doing this during sunset."

Conservation Commissioner Blankenship said on behalf of Governor Kay Ivey, it was his honor to participate in the dedication of the extensive project that will benefit generations to come.

"Today marks the completion of a project that reflects thoughtful planning, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to protecting and enhancing Alabama's coastal resources," Commissioner Blankenship said. "This project was made possible through a RESTORE grant (Deepwater Horizon settlement) awarded by the U.S. Department of the Treasury on April 26, 2019. That funding supported the design and engineering, survey work, environmental compliance, and construction.

"The goal of this effort was the restoration and new construction of improvements to the Fairhope Municipal Pier and South Beach Park. These improvements enhance vehicle and pedestrian access, strengthen waterfront infrastructure, and preserve public access to Mobile Bay while improving safety and usability for residents and visitors alike."

The extensive project includes new landscaping and irrigation, concrete sidewalks, a renovated parking lot with clay pavers, a new restroom building with associated water and sewer service, a renovated fountain, improved lighting and handrails on the pier, and new stairs along with an ADA-accessible ramp connecting the bluff and the park.