By Cary Estes
Located in southern Baldwin County just 10 miles from the popular soft, sand beaches of the Alabama Gulf Coast, Foley has been transformed into a destination all its own in recent years, attracting tourists and new residents.
“Baldwin County is the fastest-growing county in the state of Alabama, and Foley is one of the fastest-growing areas in Baldwin County. So we are blessed with opportunities,” said Foley Mayor John Koniar, who served on the City Council for 26 years before becoming mayor in 2006. “We’re more of a destination now than just a pass-through. We want to show people that there is no shortage of opportunities right here in Foley.”
Recently opened attractions, such as the OWA amusement park and the Foley Sports Tourism Complex (which holds national and regional tournaments that bring in thousands of athletes and their families) are meshing nicely with older favorites, such as the Tanger Outlets mall. In addition, the downtown area underwent a major renovation, giving tourists a better first impression of the city.Meanwhile, local officials have worked to boost the quality of life for a population that has expanded by about 20 percent since 2010 and is now close to 18,000. Bike lanes and nearly 30 miles of pedestrian paths have increased the connectivity throughout the town. A dog park recently opened, and all new residential subdivisions are required to have at least 15 percent green space.
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