Update on Coastal Alabama Beach Renourishment Project

The City of Gulf Shores, City of Orange Beach and Gulf State Park's joint beach restoration project has been delayed until Fall 2023 due to unexpected delays in FEMA's environmental review process.

This critical project is designed to rebuild local beaches and the dune protection system, which were significantly damaged in Hurricanes Nate and Sally. Work was originally anticipated to start this winter; however, FEMA authorization required to begin the project has yet to be granted. We are hopeful that we will receive approval to begin procurement of a contractor in the spring, which would allow work to begin after the summer season. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue working with FEMA to obtain all necessary approvals.   

For more information about the beach renourishment project in the City of Gulf Shores, please contact Mark Acreman at 251.968.6563.

For questions related to the Building Department, please contact Brandan Franklin at 251.968.1150.

Gulf State Park Collecting Natural Christmas Trees for Dune Restoration

Don't throw away your real Christmas Tree this year. Recycle it!

For almost 40 years, the Gulf State Park has hosted a Christmas tree recycling program that aids dune restoration. Donated clean, live trees are placed along the edges of dunes in groups of three, creating a "U" shape. When wind carries sand across the beach, the sand catches in the trees, building up over time and creating a new area of dune growth. The following spring, park staff and local volunteers plant native dune plants around the Christmas trees to further restore the natural habitat. 

Residents can drop off trees at the southeast end of the Gulf State Park Pavilion parking lot (not blocking the dumpsters), located at 22250 East Beach Blvd. Trees are being collected now through the end of January.

Please make sure to remove all lights, ornaments, tags, plastic wraps, and stands from your tree before dropping them off. No trees with flocking powder are accepted, and no artificial trees.

For more information, please call the Gulf State Park at 251.948.7275

City of Gulf Shores Renews AirMedCare Network Coverage for All Full-Time Corporate Limits Residents

At Monday's City Council meeting, Mayor Robert Craft and City Council unanimously voted to approve renewing the City's agreement with AirMedCare Network to provide air and ground ambulance service membership for all permanent residents of Gulf Shores.

What does this mean? In the event that a full-time Gulf Shores resident receives emergency transport by an AirMedCare Network provider in Baldwin County, the cost of the transport over and above the patient's insurance benefit limit will be covered with no additional out-of-pocket expense.

If a resident is uninsured at the time of the transport, the providers will bill the covered person at the Medicare Allowable Rate for the transport.

No registration is necessary for this membership. Residents are eligible to upgrade their medical transport membership for coverage outside of Baldwin County at a discounted rate, if they so choose.

If you would like more information about your current membership, have questions concerning an ambulance bill you have received, or would like to speak with someone about upgrading to a Full AirMedCare Network membership, please contact the local representative Bill Gilmore at william.gilmore@gmr.net.

The City of Gulf Shores Announces Christmas & New Year’s Holiday Schedule

As you begin to make plans for the holidays, please take note of the following City of Gulf Shores closures.

Christmas Holiday Closures:

• Police, Fire, and other emergency services will remain open to ensure public safety and health.
• Administrative offices for the City of Gulf Shores will be closed on Friday, December 23, and Monday, December 26. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, December 27.
• The Gulf Shores City Store will be open on Friday, December 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. They will be closed on Saturday, December 24 and Sunday, December 25. The Gulf Shores City Store will be open on Monday, December 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, December 27.
• The Thomas B. Norton Library will be closed Friday, December 23. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, December 27.
• The Gulf Shores Museum will be closed from Friday, December 23, and Saturday, December 24. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, December 27.
• The Bodenhamer Recreation Center, George C. Meyer Tennis Center, and Cultural Center will close at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 23. Each facility will remain closed from Saturday, December 24, through Monday, December 26. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, December 27. Tennis courts will remain open available for play throughout the holidays.
• Republic Services Garbage and Recycling Services will run as scheduled.
• December 19-22, all Yard Debris/Bulky Pick-up routes will move up one day. Tuesday will now be Monday and so forth; please have your debris out one day ahead of your usual pickup day.

New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Holiday Closures:

• Police, Fire, and other emergency services will remain open to ensure public safety and health.
• Administrative offices for the City of Gulf Shores will be closed on Friday, December 30, and Monday, January 2. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, January 3.
• The Gulf Shores City Store will be closed on Saturday, December 31. Regular operations will resume on Monday, January 2.
• The Thomas B. Norton Library will be closed on Monday, January 2. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, January 3.
• The Gulf Shores Museum will be closed on Saturday, December 31. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, January 3.
• The Bodenhamer Recreation Center will be closed on Saturday, December 31, through Monday, January 2. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, January 3.
• The George C. Meyer Tennis Center and Cultural Center will be closed from Friday, December 30, through Monday, January 2. Regular operations will resume on Tuesday, January 3. Tennis courts will remain open available for play throughout the holidays.
• Republic Services Garbage and Recycling Services will run as scheduled.
• Yard Debris/Bulky Pick-up routes will only run December 27-29. Please have all debris out by the 27, as drivers will be running multiple routes per day.



For more information or general questions, please call 251-968-2425 or email communications@gulfshoresal.gov.

Gulf Shores City Schools Earns an “A” on First State Report Card

Gulf Shores City Schools earned an “A” on its first-ever state report card placing our school system in the Top 10 in the state! The state report card evaluates many different measures, including graduation rate, chronic absenteeism and academic achievement.

Congratulations to all of our students, teachers, administration and community on helping us continue to #MakeWaves!

Gulf Shores Sportsplex Pickleball Courts Grand Opening

The Grand Opening of the new Gulf Shores Pickleball Courts will take place on Thursday, December 15. A short opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m., and the inaugural "First Dink" will take place at 10:30 a.m.

The 12 outdoor, lighted courts are located on the east side of Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium and share the parking lot with the Varsity Baseball Field. Pickleball players have been utilizing the gymnasium at the Cultural Center and outdoor basketball courts for play, limiting court availability. With these new courts, residents and visitors alike will have the opportunity to play on certified pickleball courts year-round.

Funding for the new courts was split between the City of Gulf Shores and Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. As the growth of pickleball continues, these courts will also provide sports tourism opportunities through possible tournaments and league play.

We hope you to see you all there for the first dink!

Movies at Meyer Park Christmas Edition

Join the City of Gulf Shores for Movies at Meyer Park Christmas Edition on December 15 at 6 p.m. and watch as Buddy the Elf embarks on his journey to find his father in the Big Apple!

All Movies at Meyer Park showings are free to the public and begin at 6 p.m. Meyer Park is located in the Waterway Village District at 400 East 22nd Avenue in Gulf Shores. Food trucks will be present at each event for those wanting to purchase food, and the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber will be onsite selling beverages for all ages to enjoy.

For more information visit 

www.gulfshoresal.gov/SpecialEvents.

Breakfast with Santa

Children will have the opportunity to visit with Saint Nick on Saturday, December 17, as the City of Gulf Shores hosts Breakfast with Santa at the Erie H. Meyer Civic Center.

Beginning at 8 a.m., families can dive into a wholesome breakfast complete with sausage, bacon, eggs, and pancakes. Admission for Breakfast with Santa is $5.00 and includes breakfast, a free photo with Santa, and a chance to win some pretty cool prizes! Children 3 and under are free.

Learn more at www.gulfshoresal.gov/Christmas.

Daddy-Daughter Dance - Light Up the Night!

The City of Gulf Shores is excited to bring back the Daddy-Daughter Dance in 2023! 

Two dance nights are being offered this year to ensure everyone gets a chance on the dance floor. 

•  Friday, January 13, from 6-8:30 p.m.
•  Saturday, January 14, from 6-8:30 p.m.

These dances fill up fast, so grab your tickets while you can! Tickets are $25 each and include dinner, DJ, dancing, photos, raffles, and more. 

Register online today at www.gulfshoresal.gov/recreationregistration.

Questions? Contact Jamie Robertson at jrobertson@gulfshoresal.gov or 251-968-9818.

City of Gulf Shores Employees Honored for Years of Service

The Annual City Employee Appreciation Luncheon was held on Tuesday, December 13, to celebrate another successful year and honor the following employees for their outstanding service:

5 Years of Service

William Bowman

Jacob Brasher

Scott Chambley

Christopher Childress

Brittany Diem

Haylee Gongre

Michael Hoguet

Casey Jones

Porsha Keller

Isaiah Kilgo

Sid Lewter

Peter Morris

Jeffery Shaeffer

Mindy Singleton

10 Years of Service

Nick Anagnostopoulos

Ken Ard

Nicole Ard

Leah Boone

Justin Dobbs

Joshua Gulledge

Seth Headley

Joshua Hoguet

Joethan Phillips

Brendan Powell

Charlie Williams

15 Years of Service

Blake Ables

Adam Bowmar

Joshua Coleman

Jeff Gay

Noel Hand

David Lloyd

James Lord

Stacey McGregor

Corey Parker

Justin Parks

Johnathan Sellers

Travis Willis

20 Years of Service

Paulette Cornell

25 Years of Service

Richard King

Chad Lambert

30 Years of Service

Alicia Talley

35 Years of Service

Wanda Parris

We would like to say thank you to all City employees for the work you do every day to make our community better.

Pictured left to right: Steve Griffin, City Administrator, Wanda Parris, City Clerk, Alicia Talley, GSPD Administrative Supervisor, Mayor Robert Craft