The Peninsula of Mobile
The Peninsula, the City of Mobile’s Coastal Community By: Debi Foster, Executive Director The Peninsula of Mobile, a 501 (c)(3) organization.
The Peninsula is a picturesque, mostly residential community located in Mobile County between Interstate 10 and Dog River inside the City of Mobile on the western shore of Mobile Bay.
It is filled with wetland lined creeks and bayous that feed into both the Dog River and Mobile Bay estuaries.
Located just 15 minutes from Downtown and 25 minutes to Dauphin Island, there are six (6) public parks and six (6) public access points to area waters.
The Peninsula contains several private yacht clubs, marinas and roadside fishing holes. It is also part of several trail systems including:
The Great Loop http://www.greatloop.org/, the Crepe Myrtle Bike Trail http://www.bicyclemobile.org/crepe-myrtle-trail/ , and the Dog River Scenic Blueway http://dogriver.wpengine.com/what-we-do/water-land-trails/dog-river-scenic-blueway/ and is in the process of being added to the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail http://www.alabamacoastalbirdingtrail.com .
The Peninsula of Mobile is a 501(c)(3) non-profit community based organization whose mission is to: Support the development of a clean and vibrant community that sustains the sensitive environment that IS … The Peninsula.
It was founded in 2013 by a group of local community leaders who joined together to identify strengths and weaknesses and develop goals and objectives to redevelop the depressed area.
They incorporated, secured funding, and oversaw the development of a community Corridor Master Plan.
With a focus on Low Impact Development (LID), the plan outlines redevelopment of the unique urban coastal area in ways that will help manage flooding while bringing valuable passive recreation opportunities to citizens of Mobile and visitors alike.
The basis of the plan is to blend current bike and kayak trails into a large recreation preserve that will attract users and increase economic opportunities throughout the length of the five-mile-long community, breathing life into local businesses.
The treasure will be advertised in an unmanned Visitor Information Center located at I-10’s Exit 22 south.
More information can be found by visiting www.thepeninsulaofmobile.org or on FB.
Background: Rich in economic, racial and age diversity, the Peninsula portion of Dauphin Island Parkway has over 90 businesses offering a wide array of goods and services and an abundance of available real estate fitting any budget.
Life on the Peninsula feels a little quieter; a little less hurried – some “plus” benefits not found in town. An economic downturn began in the late 1960’s when Brookley Air Field closed.
The closing of ST163 bridge over Deer River in 1979 cut the Peninsula from Dauphin Island turning the state road into a virtual dead-end. Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the housing market and economic crash, followed by the BP Oil Spill in 2010 has left the community of nearly 11,000 struggling.
Residents judged they were forgotten; the City didn’t seem to recognize its waters or the area’s importance as the City’s coastline.
Then came word of Airbus Americas coming to Brookley and things began to change. For Sale signs began popping up all over, including inside wetlands.
The community wanted a say in its future, thus the Mobile Peninsula Corridor Master Plan was developed http://thepeninsula.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Peninsula-of-Mobile-Corridor-Plan_FINAL_Reduced.pdf , and released earlier this year. A Collaborative Effort Partnerships have been invaluable to the group’s efforts. MBNEP, Auburn University, Alabama Coastal Foundation (ACF), Mobile Baykeeper, Dog River Clearwater Revival, the City of Mobile and others have joined together to help residents empower themselves to achieve the goals for their community and Mobile’s shoreline. With guidance and the hard work of many, much progress has been made.
Highlights of the Work:
• Developed a digital Mapbook of the 163 corridor and adjacent wetlands containing zoning and ownership information for easy reference.
• Secured funding and developed Corridor Master Plan.
• Coordinated partnerships for recreational signage along ST163.
• Submitted a series of nature trail and preserve proposals for potential funding through BP disaster funds.
• Created partnership with City resulting in two Transportation Assistance Program (TAP) grants for sidewalk construction along the corridor.
• Spearheaded pilot LID redevelopment of facade & parking lot at to be used as template for other small businesses throughout the City.
• Created Peninsula Brochures; Business Directory; Logo; Logo Stickers; Updated Promotional Flyers; Maps; Web & FB Pages; E-Newsletter.
• Installed Phase I of Pocket Park replacing 4500 sq. ft. of impermeable service with installation of irrigation and greenspace.
• Hosted / Co-Hosted Events: Crepe Myrtle Trail Bike Ride; Great Drift; AL Coastal Cleanup; Ghost Chase & Goblin Gallop.
• Established Water Quality Monitoring for Rabby Creek at community’s north gateway.
• Installed eight (8) concrete table/bench sets at McNally Park on Mobile Bay and Perch Creek shorelines.
• Working toward the development of a Garrows Bend Watershed Management Plan.
