The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Marine Resources Division (MRD) will begin renovating the parking area at Billy Goat Hole Public Boat Ramp on the east end of Dauphin Island on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The renovations are expected to take two weeks to complete, weather permitting.
Improvements to the parking area include regrading for proper drainage, applying aggregate (crushed rock), installing parking bumpers and new signs, installing paved Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) parking for single vehicles and vehicles with trailers, designating single vehicle and vehicle with trailer parking, designating tie down and launch lanes, and applying new striping on paved areas. When the work is complete, parking will be pull-in versus the current back-in parking.
“We partnered with the Town of Dauphin Island to design and implement the improvements to the Billy Goat Hole parking area,” said Scott Bannon, MRD Director. “Together we focused on maximizing parking for trailers, single vehicles, vendors, and providing ADA compliant parking. We look forward to making these improvements available to local anglers and anyone visiting Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast.”
Billy Goat Hole will remain open with limited parking during the renovation, and construction will not take place Fridays through Sundays. Boaters and anglers are encouraged to exercise caution near the construction area when visiting the boat ramp. MRD will announce the completion of the project on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AlabamaMarineResourcesDivision.
Additional improvements are planned for Billy Goat Hole in 2023, including a boat ramp renovation and the addition of an ADA compliant lift to allow access to the newly refurbished restrooms and concession area. The boat ramp improvements are in the final design and permitting stage with construction expected to begin this fall. Installation of the lift will take place this summer and should not limit access to the facility.
MRD was awarded a $1.3 million grant from Alabama Governor Kay Ivey through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act to fund the Billy Goat Hole Boat Ramp renovation project on behalf of the Town of Dauphin Island.
For more information about Billy Goat Hole or additional public boating access along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit www.outdooralabama.com/boating/coastal-alabama-boating-access or call the MRD Dauphin Island office at (251) 861-2882.
ADCNR promotes wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural resources through four divisions: Marine Resources, State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Learn more at www.outdooralabama.com.
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Parking Improvements Coming to Billy Goat Hole on Dauphin Island
As part of a renovation project, the parking area at Billy Goat Hole Public Boat Ramp will be regraded to correct drainage issues
