The City of Daphne will temporarily close Bayfront Park as it prepares for construction of the Bayfront Amphitheater project.

The closure began on Oct. 27 as construction is set to begin. During this time, the Bayfront Park pier will be accessible for a limited time through foot traffic but only through Village Point Park Preserve. All vehicular and pedestrian access to the park will be closed on Bayfront Drive from Moe’s Original BBQ westward to the waterfront.

Once completed, Bayfront Park and Amphitheater will be open daily for passive park and active recreational use. To commemorate the beginning of construction, the city will hold a groundbreaking ceremony at Bayfront Park on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. The ceremony is open to the public.

A highly anticipated project among city officials, the amphitheater will feature lawn and/or folding chair seating estimated to seat around 2,500 people. The project also includes construction of a new splash pad for Daphne’s youth, along with expanded restroom facilities, additional parking space and boardwalks connecting the Daphne recreational building to the amphitheater area.

The project, estimated to cost $15 million, is partially funded by a $7.2M GoMESA grant awarded to the City of Daphne in 2023.

“For over 25 years, the citizens of Daphne and city leaders have envisioned a waterfront recreational facility with an amphitheater venue at Bayfront Park,” Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune said in a statement. “With the help of Governor Kay Ivey, Commissioner Chris Blankenship and our City Council, I’m thrilled to be a part of bringing this long-term vision into a reality.”

The city expects the project to be completed around the spring of 2027, which will coincide with Daphne’s Centennial celebrations.