By Marc D. Anderson

The Orange Beach Recreation Campus has grown by leaps and bounds over the past two decades. What started out as two tennis courts and ballfields in the 1990s has turned into a hub of the Orange Beach community. 

The early 2000s saw the construction of the Tennis Center, Aquatics Center, Recreation Center and a new Community Center. The past six years alone have seen the addition of a new Rec Center gymnasium, new Fitness Center, and the opening of the Pickleball Complex in May. The Recreation Center is also home to the Expect Excellence program that provides Orange Beach children with arts, academic and athletics programs, after-school care and summer camps. 

All of that grew without one cohesive master plan, so City Engineer Chris Pappas went to the drawing board with direction from city administration and mapped out a more efficient, enhanced and safer campus. 

The conceptual improvements include dedicated golf cart parking, more than 200 new parking spaces, four additional tennis courts, improved sidewalks and crosswalks, an artificial turf multipurpose field adjacent to the Rec Center to serve Expect Excellence, and overall site beautification. 

“This is one of the most exciting projects our City has undertaken,” said City Administrator Ford Handley. “The Recreation Campus is among our most heavily used community assets, serving residents and visitors of all ages throughout the year. 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 said the improvements are about the City's continued investment in the quality of life for residents. 

“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,” she 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 taking the conceptual plan and having designs made so it can be bid out. The City Council will vote at its next meeting, June 16, on a task order with Sawgrass Consulting to provide professional civil engineering and land surveying services, not to exceed $170,600.

The goal is to have the project bid out before the end of the year and constructed and finished in 2027. 

Contorno Park

The city’s purchase of 14 acres next to the Rec Campus in July 2024 is shaping into beautiful Contorno Park. Once complete, the park will feature scenic walking trails around a pond, picnic areas, and open green space, creating a quiet place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. An existing home on site now serves as administrative offices for the Parks and Recreation Department.

“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.”

Aquatics Center

Not to be left behind, the Orange Beach Aquatics Center will be renovated and expanded. Planning and design are underway to transform the Aquatics Center into a modern, multi-use facility. The project will expand the existing 6-lane pool to 8 lanes to better serve high school and recreational swim teams, fitness swimmers, lessons, and community programming. A new recreational pool will be added to support classes, open swim, and family use, and will include an interactive splash pad. Construction will be phased to keep the facility operational throughout the process, with completion targeted for 2027.

Parks and Recreation Month

While Parks and Recreation facilities are growing, programming is expanding as well. Next up, Parks and Recreation Month will be celebrated in July with the theme “The Power of Parks & Recreation: Power of Community - America’s 250” adding a patriotic flare celebrating America’s 250th birthday. The Senior Center will kick things off on July 1 with a Rock and Roll Tie-Dye Americana Party. A Pop-Up Park & Block Party is happening on Saturday, July 11 from 5:30-8 p.m. at John Snook Park. Activities and programs will be ongoing through the month, capped off with a goodbye to summer event - “Summer Sendoff - Park after Dark” on July 31st. Follow Orange Beach Parks and Recreation on Facebook for announcements on these and other great programs.