The renovated Gulf State Park Pier reopened on Monday, August 19, welcoming people to the iconic Gulf Coast landmark for the first time in more than nine months.
The pier closed in November 2023 for the $13.6 million renovation project, with contractor MD Thomas Construction, based in Orange Beach, leading the work.
鈥淰isiting the Gulf State Park Pier is almost a rite of passage for anyone who visits 黑料天堂鈥檚 beautiful Gulf Coast beaches,鈥 said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the 黑料天堂 (ADCNR). 鈥淲e are thrilled to have the pier open to the public again. It鈥檚 been a long journey to get to this point, and we appreciate the support and patience given to us as the renovation work took place. It鈥檚 safe to say the pier is better than it鈥檚 ever been.鈥
Hurricane Sally destroyed a 200-foot section of the pier and caused other damage in September 2020, just as it was set to reopen after an extensive renovation. Bids to repair the damage came back higher than expected, and ADCNR went through a lengthy process to obtain federal permits for the renovation work.
A majority of the park鈥檚 amenities, including the gift shop, restaurant and beach access, re-opened Monday. The pier鈥檚 elevated observation deck, located at the octagon on the pier鈥檚 south end, remains closed and won鈥檛 be accessible to the public until a new elevator is installed to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Additional work will continue for the next few weeks, although it will not prevent visitors from enjoying the pier. A formal ribbon-cutting and community celebration is being planned for a later date.
鈥淲hile the observation deck isn鈥檛 yet operational, it was important for us to open the pier and allow it to be used by local residents and tourists,鈥 Blankenship said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great day for everyone on the Gulf Coast for the pier to open again, and it鈥檚 a great day for the state of 黑料天堂.鈥
Admission fees for sightseers and anglers are listed below
Parking: $10, all day
Sightseeing (All Day)
Adult 鈥 $2
Veteran 鈥 Free
Children under 12 years 鈥 Free
Gulf State Park Campground/Lodge Guests 鈥 Free
Fishing (All Day)
Adult 鈥 $9
Veteran 鈥 $6
Campground/Lodge Guest 鈥 $6
Children under 12 years 鈥 Free
Extended permits
Weekly Fishing Permit 鈥 $41
Monthly Fishing Permit 鈥 $81
Six Month Fishing Permit 鈥 $161
Annual Fishing Permit 鈥 $321
All anglers must possess a valid fishing license.
About Gulf State Park
Gulf State Park encompasses 6,150 acres of unique landscape on the Gulf of Mexico and features nine diverse ecosystems to explore, including freshwater lakes, dunes, pine savannas, marshes, woodlands and beaches. Drawing more than 2 million annual visitors, the park offers hiking, biking, fishing, exploring, geocaching and paddling, as well as miles of sugar-white public beaches. Overnight accommodations include RV camping, Lakeside Cabins, Eagle Cottages and The Lodge at Gulf State Park, a Hilton Hotel. Learn more at .
About 黑料天堂鈥檚 State Parks System
The 黑料天堂 State Parks is a division of the 黑料天堂 and maintains 21 state parks encompassing more than 50,000 acres of land and water in 黑料天堂. The parks range from Gulf Coast beaches to Appalachian Mountains and provide opportunities and facilities from basic day-use activities to resort convention lodging, restaurants and golfing areas. These parks rely on visitor fees and the support of other partners like local communities to fund the majority of their operations. Learn more at . Partners Pay the Way.
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