FAIRHOPE — A plot of land that is home to a part of Fairhope’s history will soon become a new space to bring people and families together.

The City of Fairhope and the Fairhope/Point Clear Community Foundation broke ground on Foundation Park the morning of Friday, Oct. 23.

Located at the intersection of S. Section Street and Twin Beech Road, the new park sits on a 1.6-acre lot where the Anna T. Jeans School once stood. The school served as the first Black school in Fairhope during the Jim Crow era. The new park will feature a splash pad, a walking trail and other amenities, such as a pavilion, playground and restroom.

The project is part of a partnership between the City of Fairhope and the Fairhope/Point Clear Community Foundation, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of South Alabama, which was first announced in 2025. The foundation will provide funding for the project, while the city will continue to own and maintain the property.

“We’ve been working with the Community Foundation of Fairhope and Point Clear for probably (18 months) to work on a plan to revitalize the space and turn it into a park,” Fairhope Mayor Sherry Sullivan said. “To be able to do this, anytime to be able to add to our park system is great, but to specifically do it here in South Fairhope, it means a whole lot and again, I think it’s a great addition to Hope Community and something that this area and Fairhope is going to enjoy for generations.”

According to the city’s website, the project will be split into two phases. In Phase One, the Community Foundation will contribute $100,000 to cover the creation of the park through fencing, landscaping, utilities and signage. In Phase Two, the foundation seeks to provide $400,000 to the city through fundraising efforts for the construction of the park and splash pad.