Foley Expands Walkways and Updates Heritage Park Features

Guy Busby • March 21, 2025

Upgrades include walkway extensions and LED lighting

Workers pour concrete to construct the walkway across Heritage Park in Foley. The walkway will link the pedestrian bridge over Alabama 59 and North Chicago Street.

Foley, Ala. – (OBA) – A decorative metal fence will soon be added near the intersection of Alabama 59 and U.S. 98 as part of ongoing improvements to Foley’s Heritage Park.


On Monday, March 17, the Foley City Council approved installing the fence near the city’s Welcome Center. According to Jeff Phillips, Foley’s construction projects manager, the new fence will enhance the park’s appearance, making it more attractive and open.


“This is part of our Heritage Park improvements project,” Phillips said. “We're cleaning up the park. We'll be removing a 6-foot wooden fence behind the Welcome Center and putting up the aluminum fence that’s like what's in the rest of the park. It will give a good line of sight between 59 and 98 as well.”


The Welcome Center is on the northeast corner of Alabama 59 and U.S. 98. The building, which was remodeled in 1962, was originally the Foley Public Library between 1927 and 1984. 


The fence replacement is one of several improvements going on at Heritage and John B. Foley Park.


On Tuesday, March 18, crews poured concrete to extend the walkway across Heritage Park from the Centennial Clock Tower to North Chicago Street. At the intersection, plans call for the walking path to continue along the new extension of East Jessamine Avenue now under construction.


Portions of North Chicago Street will be closed between now and April 1 to allow the projects to be connected.


The extension and walkway will provide a walkway between the pedestrian bridge over Alabama 59 and City Hall.


Work is also going on in the park to build a gate and wall section at the intersection of East Jessamine. The walkway will connect to the new gate.


The city is also replacing existing wooden light poles that hold halogen lighting on the south side of the park with decorative black poles holding LED lights. The LED lights are more efficient and will provide more illumination.


On Monday, city crews also demolished the old restroom facility next to the Welcome Center. The park restroom building was replaced by a larger, more modern facility.


Share this article w/ Friends...

Stock Hurricane Image
By OBA Staff • October 8, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach officials urge residents to complete storm preparations and consider voluntary evacuation as Hurricane Isaias approaches the northern Gulf Coast. The storm strengthened into a hurricane overnight, prompting hurricane and storm surge warnings for the area. Forecasters warn of da
Hurricane Flags on Orange Beach
By OBA Staff • October 8, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — The cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are urging non-residents and residents of flood-prone areas to voluntarily evacuate ahead of Isaias. Forecasters expect Isaias to strengthen into a significant hurricane before reaching the coast. The storm is expected to bring high winds, storm s
Shawn Mitchell - City of Foley - Planning Commission
By OBA Staff • October 8, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley Planning Director Shawn Mitchell has earned a national professional certification, placing her among a select group of credentialed planners nationwide. Mitchell received her designation from the American Institute of Certified Planners, the American Planning Association's certification arm
Girls in Aviation -  Stock Photo
By K. Cooper • October 8, 2026
NAS Pensacola, Fla. — (OBA) — A popular annual event celebrating women in aviation is returning to the Florida Panhandle this fall. Women in Aviation International Gulf Coast Chapter and the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation are hosting the fourth annual Girls in Aviation Gulf Coast 2026 at the National Naval Aviation
Shrimp Fest Volunteers
By OBA Staff • October 7, 2026
Gulf Shores, Ala. — (OBA) — The 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival has been canceled. Tropical Storm Isaias is forecast to intensify into a hurricane before making landfall along the northern Gulf Coast. Organizers say the safety of visitors, vendors, and volunteers was the top priority. The Coastal Alabama Business
Stock Hurricane Image
By K. Cooper • October 7, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Orange Beach officials are closely monitoring Tropical Storm Isaias in the Gulf. As of Wednesday morning, TS Isaias has 40 mph sustained winds and is moving ENE at 8 mph. The tropical storm is moving east-northeast and does not appear to be stalling. The city has taken steps to stay ahead o
Photo from the 2023 Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival
By K. Cooper • October 7, 2026
Perdido Key,Fla. — (OBA) — One of the Gulf Coast's most beloved musical traditions is in its fourth decade. The 42nd Annual Frank Brown Songwriters' Festival will bring more than 200 nationally acclaimed songwriters to the Florida-Alabama Gulf Coast. The event will feature Grammy Award winners alongside emerging artis
Friends of the Arts Donates to Orange Beach Elementary Music Program
By OBA Staff • October 7, 2026
Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Members of the Friends of the Arts Board visited Orange Beach Elementary School to present a $1,000 check to two of its music educators. The funds were awarded to General Music and Choir Director Kimberly Pugh and Music Teacher Taylor Holley. The donation will cover a subscription to Music
Foley Main Street Halloween
By OBA Staff • October 7, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Downtown Foley is getting a Halloween makeover this fall, thanks to Foley Main Street. The organization invites residents and visitors to join "The Prowl," a special edition of its popular Third Thursday event. The evening blends community shopping with a touch of seasonal mystery. Local small bu
Foley Fire Dept.
By OBA Staff • October 6, 2026
Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — The Foley Fire Department is getting a new ladder truck and a series of facility upgrades. Fire Chief Joey Darby briefed City Council members on the progress. The department ordered the truck in late 2023, and it is now in its final stages of production. Darby said the department is on track to ta
Show More