Mobile County Commission's Largest Park Reopened Feb. 23

Posted on: Feb 23rd, 2025 | Announcements Press Releases Featured News

Mobile County’s Largest Park Reopened

MOBILE COUNTY, Ala. – Mobile County Commission’s 1,100-acre Chickasabogue Park reopened after three years of construction on Feb. 23 with a community celebration that drew almost 450 people on a cold and wet Sunday afternoon.

“Upgrading Chickasabogue Park has been a labor of love,” said Mobile County Commissioner Merceria Ludgood, who spearheaded park enhancements. “I’m delighted so many people came out in this weather to help us reopen Chickasabogue,” she added. The Mobile County Commission invites you to come out to Chickasabogue Park and bring your family, you’ll find there is something for everyone.”

The community celebration attendees enjoyed music, face painting, Mobile County Animal Shelter pets, lawn games, pickleball, basketball, soccer, disc golf instruction, guided trail walks, activities for children, and more.

What’s new at Chickasbougue Park?

· all-new day-use area with ample parking

- - new playground
  - new splashpad
  - improved courts (multiuse: basketball, pickleball, tennis)
  - new restroom facility
  - new pavilion

· upgraded disc golf course

· improved hiking/biking trails

· improved park-wide infrastructure like roads and utilities

Park hours are 8 a.m. to dusk with no admission at this time.

Chickasabogue Park has an avid following of both disc golfers and mountain bikers. Anticipation has been high awaiting upgrades to courses and trails. Approximately 10 cars of disc golfers awaited the gate opening at noon.

President of Mobile Area Disc Golf Association Cory Mattas said: “We’re thrilled with the upgrades and it’s great to be back! Chickasabogue’s course is one of the oldest in the area. The park means a lot to local disc golfers. People have been playing Chickasabogue for more than 30 years and it’s the home of one of the most beloved tournaments on the Gulf Coast, the Halloween Howler. We’re extremely thankful to be back at Chickasabogue.”

Chickasabogue Park is less than 15 minutes from downtown Mobile. It provides a variety of outdoor activities in a natural setting while protecting the environment and preserving the diversity of indigenous plants and animals.

Chickasabogue Park was closed in January 2022 for construction and renovation as part of Mobile County’s Parks Initiative. Much of the work at Chickasabogue Park was park-wide utilities and infrastructure improvements (such as underground utilities, including water/sewer and necessary lift station, fire hydrants, and fire mains) which required the whole park be closed for public safety. There were multiple sources of delay, such as supply chain delays and increases in materials costs stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, which made it difficult to award bids and some redesign/replanning was necessary.

The RV campground is currently under construction. The existing boat launch will remain closed for safety reasons. Mobile County expects to begin renovating the beach area and constructing of a new boat ramp later in 2025. The master plan for Chickasabogue Park includes an events and interpretive center and many other future improvements.

Chickasabogue Park improvements thus far have been possible through funding generated by the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) of 2006 (offshore oil drilling). Part of the local conservation plan for GOMESA funds is to increase public access to shoreline recreational areas, such as along the Chickasabogue Creek, which connects to Mobile Bay.

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