Update on the Waterway East Expansion Project

The Waterway East Expansion Project is making significant progress. Right-of-way clearing is near completion, and utility work has begun along East Second Street and will soon start along Waterway East Boulevard. The contractor has also begun roadway grading and stormwater pipe installation. 

When completed, the project will add a 2-mile extension to Waterway East Boulevard along the Intracoastal Waterway, creating a new connection between Highway 59 and Cotton Creek Drive. This new route will provide easy access to the future commercial terminal at the Gulf Shores International Airport and the new Waterways Bridge currently being constructed by ALDOT. 

The project is funded through monies awarded via the RESTORE Grant, the Alabama Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (ACDNR), and a funding agreement with Coastal Resort Properties.

Construction is on schedule and estimated to be complete by early 2025.

Click here to learn more about this project.

Gulf Shores Police Department begins National Accreditation Process through CALEA

In January 2022, the Gulf Shores Police Department began to pursue accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).

The CALEA process was created as credentialing authority through the joint efforts of law enforcement's major executive associations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, the National Sheriff's Association, and the Police Executive Research Forum.

Pursuing this national accreditation is voluntary, and only the best law enforcement agencies achieve this standard. The three-year process is set in three phases and culminates with proof of compliance with approximately 170 standards. One of the standards to meet accreditation is the Accreditation Public Comment Portal. The purpose of this portal is to receive comments regarding the police department's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accreditation standards.

GSPD has placed a link to the Accreditation Public Comment Portal on the City's website to encourage public comment and feedback. To submit feedback, visit www.gulfshoresal.gov/Police and click the "Provide Feedback" link. 

If you have any questions or need further information, contact Detective Mike Hoguet at mhoguet@gulfshoresal.gov or Don Fuller at dfuller@gulfshoresal.gov.

2023 National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship, May 5 - 7, 2023

May in Gulf Shores brings warm weather, sunny skies, and high-stake competition as the best teams from across the country battle it out for the 2023 NCAA Women’s Beach Volleyball National Championship. Sixteen teams will travel to Gulf Shores to play the game of a lifetime on our white-sand beaches from May 5-7, 2023.

Hosted by the City of Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports & Events, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), this annual tournament features three days of pure excitement. The first round of the competition begins on Friday, May 5, and continues with the semifinals and quarterfinals on Saturday. The final two teams will battle it out on the sand on Sunday for the championship. The tournament is carried out with a single-elimination bracket, with teams consisting of five pairs advancing throughout the weekend. Five collegiate courts and practice courts will be set up on the beach.

Tickets are still available! Click here to purchase.

Parking & Beach Access Information

The entrance to Gulf Place off Highway 59 and the related parking south and east of the Hangout restaurant will close to accommodate the setup and execution of the NCAA Collegiate Volleyball Championship starting today and will reopen on May 10. The public beach and access to the water at all locations will remain open to the public during all volleyball events. The NCAA Championship is a ticketed event if you wish to attend, but the beach area directly south of the championship site will stay open to the public. The Resident Parking Area and West Gulf Place will remain open at all times.

To see a map of all beach parking areas and access points, please visit https://www.gulfshoresal.gov/1139/Beach-Parking.

City of Gulf Shores Announces National Bike Month Events

The City of Gulf Shores will celebrate National Bike Month during May with the following events: National Bike to School Day on May 3, Ride a Bike Day on May 7, Bike to Work Day on May 19, and Bike to Work Week on May 15-21.

National Bike to School Day - May 3

National Bike to School Day will take place on Wednesday, May 3. Gulf Shores Police Department will be assisting with this event. There will be two meeting locations where children can meet to depart for school: the Kids Park Playground areas located in Johnnie Sims Park and Meyer Park. The departure time for students participating in the ride from Jonnie Sims Park will be 7:15 a.m. The departure time for students participating in the ride from Meyer Park will be 7:30 a.m. There will be a return ride held after school. Participants should wear a helmet. In inclement weather, the Bike Ride will be canceled and rescheduled for May 10.

National Ride A Bike Day - May 7

National Ride a Bike Day falls on Sunday, May 7. We encourage community members of all ages to get out and take their bikes for a spin on this day!

National Bike to Work Week - May 15-21

National Bike to Work Week will occur on May 15-21, and the official Bike to Work Day is Friday, May 19. The public is encouraged to put on their helmets and make their trip to work on their bike during this day and week to celebrate National Bike Month.

“With Gulf Shores being named a Bronze-Level Bicycle Friendly Community by the League of American Bicyclists in 2018, these events are essential to maintaining that status within our community,” Andy Bauer said. “This is an opportunity for us, the City of Gulf Shores, to further invest in our residents, both adults and children, by promoting a healthy lifestyle as we encourage a more active bicycling community.”

For more information on the listed events for Bike Month, click here or contact Andy Bauer at 251-968-1151.

Gulf Shores City Schools Named 2023 Alabama Green Ribbon School District

The U.S. Department of Education announced last week that Gulf Shores City Schools in Gulf Shores, Alabama is 1 of 11 school districts in the country to be awarded the 2023 U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon School District Sustainability Award. Gulf Shores City Schools was the only school district in the southeastern United States to win the district award.

USDOE Green Ribbon Schools recognizes schools, districts, and higher education institutions that nurture and promote environmental, health, and sustainability education and practices. This includes demonstrating responsible stewardship of natural resources, promoting the safety and wellness of children and adults, and encouraging an appreciation of our rich natural heritage.

The award focuses on the following pillars:

• Pillar I: Reducing environmental impact and costs
• Pillar II: Improving the health and wellness of students and staff
• Pillar III: Providing effective environmental and sustainability education, incorporating STEM, civic skills, and green career pathways

From its inception, the district established a set of core values that correlates with the standards of USDOE Green Ribbon Schools: "to provide engaging learning environments, rigorous academics, and to incorporate unique resources of our community to empower all students to achieve success." The district’s core values will shape the future of our environment, our commitment to innovation, and our local community for generations to come.

Notable environmental sustainability education projects completed by GSCS:

• Schneider Electric partnership to replace lighting and air conditioning systems, improved air quality, and installed solar features tied into the power grid to help reduce energy use.
• The new STEAM building at Gulf Shores Elementary School
• Gulf Shores High School Farm-to-Table Program
• Upgraded transportation program at GSCS with half of the fleet of buses replaced with ultra-low sulfur, clean diesel engine models, reducing carbon emissions by 89.5%
• Science by the Shore outdoor, place-based science education program
• All students have access to bicycles throughout the day to support outdoor learning and physical activity.
• Comprehensive recycling efforts, composting, and water conservation
• Partnership with the Center for Ecotourism, including a school visit from Jean-Michel Cousteau
• Active health and wellness committee to support the physical and mental health of students and staff

“Being acknowledged as a USDOE Green Ribbon School is a testament to our district’s commitment to our core values and providing a learning atmosphere that is innovative and environmentally friendly,” said Gulf Shores City Schools Superintendent Dr. Matt Akin.

Congratulations to Gulf Shores City Schools for this incredible award!

May is Proclaimed National Tennis Month in Gulf Shores

Mayor Robert Craft and the City Council proclaimed at Monday's Council Meeting that May is National Tennis Month in Gulf Shores.

The Recreation Division, through the George C. Meyer Tennis Center and its programs, proudly partners with the USTA to showcase the important health, social, and educational benefits of tennis and make the sport available to everyone, regardless of age, environment, condition, or ability.

Last year the City of Gulf Shores transformed the tennis and pickleball division by adding new professional staff and enhanced programming opportunities. The division hosted activities for all ages, including over 350 private tennis lessons, 512 adult skills and drills, 295 youth tennis clinics, and more! 

If you want to learn more about tennis programming provided by the City of Gulf Shores, click here.

Registration for Youth Tennis Summer Camp is now open! These co-ed, 4-day camps are offered to children ages 6-14 and will be held for six weeks, June 12 through July 27, Monday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to noon. All skill levels are welcome!

Register today! Click here.