New Dauphin Island Beach Opens Saturday

The west end of Dauphin Island is almost ready for more traffic. The new beach promises stands for food, snacks, ice and water craft rentals.

“When people come in and they have to go out get food, or bring things in that are heavy to carry it's easier for them if they just have it here available,” Dauphin Island Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Mary Scarcliff.

The new beach will have lifeguards too.

“A lot of folks want to come and enjoy the day with their family and they can be more comfortable that they're children are going to be safe when they're swimming they don't have to be so concerned about safety issues,” says Dauphin Island Mayor Jeff Collier.

Parking will cost you $20 here. At the island's other public beach, it's still free. While some might pause at the price, others are fine with it.

“I think it would just be a safer environment for everyone to go,” says beach goer Pamela Lewis.

People that park at the new west end beach will be driving on the sand; you don't have to worry about your car getting stuck because this geo webbing will be filled with sand instead of using asphalt. Town leaders say the $2,000,000 dollar project may not pay for itself, but they want to bring more people to local businesses.

“Those businesses that need additional traffic coming through and provide additional tax revenues to the town so by bringing more people it's going to help all businesses on the island which will help the island itself,” says Mayor Collier.