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Home My WebLink About2024 SeptOctCity Sketches SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024 9/11 Ceremony FHS Homecoming Parade Labor Day Holiday Schedule Flying Creek Nature Preserve is Underway After years of discussion, the Fairhope City Council approved the purchase of 108 acres in 2013. This land, located between Veterans Drive and Fly Creek, had been owned by the Dyas family for over a century. In 2022, Fairhope received a $1M Gulf of Mexico Energy and Securities Act (GOMESA) grant for planning and designing a 72-acre parcel on Fly Creek. Local firms Thompson Engineering and Watershed were chosen to develop a Master Plan. Upon City Council approval, the design team began Phase I, which includes multi-use nature trails connected to the Eastern Shore Trail, outdoor classrooms, a trailhead with an informational kiosk, a bicycle repair station, new restroom facilities, a pavilion, and a low-impact development parking area. A 7-acre section will be restored as a longleaf forest, providing unique wildlife habitats. A pedestrian underpass beneath Veterans Drive will connect to an adjacent 36-acre parcel. The Flying Creek Nature Preserve will also include bird blinds, Fly Creek overlooks, signage, rest areas, a kayak/canoe launch, and the John Martin Nature Center. The Nature Center will be housed in a remodeled property donated by the Triangle Conservancy. Designed by Watershed, it will incorporate low-impact and green building standards, showcasing environmental protection and enhancement. This project aligns with the vision of Fairhope’s founders, offering a natural escape and preserving a unique forest and ecosystem for public enjoyment. NEWS HIGHLIGHTSSEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024 City Sketches On Saturday, September 21, join us for the 37th annual Alabama Coastal Cleanup! This is a fantastic opportunity for Fairhope residents to not only clean up along the coast but also to extend the effort citywide. The City of Fairhope is once again encouraging neighborhood groups and individuals to unite in picking up trash and making a meaningful impact on our community. Volunteers who sign up early will receive a free t-shirt. Supply packets will be available for pickup at the Nix Center (1 Bayou Drive) on Friday, September 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you miss the early sign-up, you can still participate by signing in at the Fairhope Pier on Saturday, September 21, starting at 8 a.m. The cleanup event will run from 8 a.m. to noon. This initiative is part of a global effort to remove debris from our coastal waters. As a special thank you, Fairhope Public Utilities will be grilling hotdogs for all volunteers between 10 a.m. and noon at the south end of Fairhope Beachfront Park. Join us in this important effort to keep Alabama and Fairhope beautiful! To register your group or organization, or for more information, please call 251-929-1474 or email BethannGifford@fairhopeal.gov. Alabama Coastal Cleanup The community is invited as we remember those who served and those who were lost 23 years ago on September 11. The Fairhope Police Department will be hosting its annual 9/11 ceremony outside the Police Department at 107 N. Section Street on Wednesday, September 11 at 9 a.m. Fairhope Outdoor Fall Farmers Market September 19 – November 14 Mark your calendars for the return of the Fairhope Outdoor Fall Farmers Market! Beginning September 19, the market will take place every Thursday from 3-6 p.m. through November 14 behind the Fairhope Public Library. Come shop fresh, local produce, plants, homemade breads, jams, cakes, and so much more of the best Fairhope has to offer! For entertainment for the whole family, the farmers market features live music and activities for the kids! If you are interested in becoming a vendor, please email Bethann.gifford@fairhopeal.gov. 9/11 Ceremony The City of Fairhope Administrative Offices & Operations will be CLOSED on Monday, September 2, 2024. There will be no garbage, trash, or recycling pickup. Services will resume on the next scheduled pickup day. Labor Day Holiday Schedule SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 2024 Mark your calendars for Fairhope High School Homecoming Week! On Thursday, September 26, we will close Section Street from Oak Avenue to Fairhope Avenue, and Fairhope Avenue from Section Street to the Fairhope Pier at 5 p.m. for a 6 p.m. homecoming parade. Do not miss the Fairhope Pirate Homecoming game on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Volanta Park Majors Field. Bring your little ghouls and goblins for a spooktacular time in downtown Fairhope! Our Downtown Trick or Treat event is a beloved family tradition and offers a safe, fun way for kids of all ages to get into the Halloween spirit. On Saturday, October 26, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., children are encouraged to don their Halloween costumes and trick or treat along the streets of downtown Fairhope. Look for the orange pumpkins displayed in store windows to see which shops are participating in the festivities. Don’t forget to stop by the Welcome Center, where a special Halloween photo spot will be set up for you to capture those magical moments. The annual James P. Nix Senior Center Fall Fashion Show is scheduled for Tuesday, September 24 at 11:30 a.m. This event featuring Nix Center members, showcases a variety of stylish clothing and accessories from local shops and boutiques. The event is open to the public and provides an afternoon of fun and fashion. Mark your calendar -- The James P. Nix Center will hold its annual Senior Wellness Fair in October. Call 251-928-2835 for more information. FHS Homecoming Parade Downtown Trick or Treat Fall Fashion Show Contact your elected officialsLETTER FROM THE MAYOR Public Meetings Listings The Fairhope Planning Commission MEETS AT 5pm | City Council chambers FIRST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH The Fairhope City Council MEETS AT 6pm | City Council chambers THE SECOND AND FOURTH MONDAYS FairhopeAL.gov | 251-928-2136 Sherry Sullivan, Mayor Sherry.Sullivan@FairhopeAL.gov Corey Martin, City Council President Corey.Martin@FairhopeAL.gov Kevin Boone, City Councilmember Kevin.Boone@FairhopeAL.gov Jack Burrell, City Councilmember Jack.Burrell@FairhopeAL.gov Jimmy Conyers, City Councilmember Jimmy.Conyers@FairhopeAL.gov Jay Robinson, City Councilmember Jay.Robinson@FairhopeAL.gov Mayor & City Council mailing address: City of Fairhope P.O. Drawer 429 Fairhope, AL 36533 I hope you and your family enjoyed this past summer and are ready for cooler months ahead. The City has been busy with breaking ground and the early stages of construction of the Flying Creek Nature Preserve. This is such an exciting time for our city, as we begin work on this special outdoor project for residents and visitors. There are many other opportunities to enjoy being outside, while the Flying Creek Nature Preserve project is underway, such as the Alabama Coastal Cleanup. This is a wonderful opportunity to not only clean up along the coast, but to clean up city wide. I encourage neighborhoods, schools or church groups, and others to pick up trash and help make a difference in our community. As we transition to a new budget year, I also want to assure you that the City continues to be in good financial standing which allows us to do all these wonderful projects. Happy Fall, Sherry Sullivan, Mayor