City of Fairhope, AL
Home MenuA Commitment to Conservation and Community
The City of Fairhope is proud to preserve, enhance, and restore a 108-acre parcel of land between Veterans Boulevard and Fly Creek as a dedicated nature preserve. Honoring the vision of Fairhope’s founders, to set aside the best land for public benefit, this lush, forested area offers a peaceful retreat into nature, featuring a diverse forest and riparian ecosystem.
The preserve is being thoughtfully developed to support passive recreation and outdoor education for residents and visitors alike. In 2022, the City secured a $1 million GOMESA grant to launch Phase 1 of the Flying Creek Nature Preserve project. Two local firms, Thompson Engineering and Watershed, were selected to design the Master Plan.
Phase 1 Highlights
- Multi-use nature trails
- A connection to the Eastern Shore Trail
- Outdoor classrooms
- A trailhead with an informational kiosk
- Bicycle repair station
- Restroom pavilion
- Eco-friendly parking area
All amenities have been carefully integrated into the existing forest to minimize environmental impact. A 7-acre section is being restored as a longleaf pine forest, creating a specialized habitat for native wildlife and plants. This area includes cleared understory, newly planted pine saplings, and various native understory species. An outdoor pavilion and bird blind provide peaceful observation and gathering spaces within the restoration area.
The City of Fairhope is excited to continue this journey toward creating an exceptional nature preserve that reflects our community’s values of conservation, recreation, and public access to natural beauty.