In November 2016, a large construction site beside the Foley Beach Express received a name and a much clearer purpose.
The Poarch Band of Creek Indians unveiled plans for OWA, a 520-acre family entertainment destination in Foley, Alabama. The project was designed to combine an amusement park, hotel, restaurants, shops, public spaces, and a lake within one resort-style development.
OWA was planned several miles north of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, where millions of travelers already visited Alabama’s Gulf Coast each year. Its developers believed Foley could offer those visitors another reason to remain in the region, particularly when weather or travel schedules made a full day at the beach less practical.
The announcement also represented one of the largest economic development projects undertaken by the Poarch Band. What began as a plan for a themed amusement park and walkable commercial district later expanded into OWA Parks & Resort, including the Tropic Falls theme and water parks.
The Name OWA
The name OWA is derived from a Muscogee Creek expression associated with “big water.” It was chosen partly in reference to the 14-acre lake placed near the center of the development.
The name also connected the project with the heritage of its owner, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians. The Tribe is Alabama’s only federally recognized Native American tribe and operates businesses in several industries.
Using a Creek-derived name distinguished the development from amusement parks built around fictional characters or imported themes. OWA’s identity was connected with both the Tribe and the coastal landscape surrounding Foley.
The project’s original branding described it as “a Southern destination reinvented.” Designers planned a series of districts inspired by the appearance of a small Southern town that had developed over time.
Rather than placing every attraction inside one enclosed park, OWA would combine ticketed entertainment with streets and businesses that could be visited without amusement park admission.
A $500 Million Long-Term Plan
The Poarch Band announced OWA on November 2, 2016. Construction was already underway when tribal and city leaders presented the detailed plans.
The entire development was expected to require more than $500 million if all proposed phases were completed. The first phase included:
- a themed amusement park;
- a 150-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott;
- restaurants and retail businesses;
- the central lake and surrounding public spaces;
- roads, parking, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure.
Future concepts included a water park, additional hotels, condominiums, and a resort-style recreational vehicle park.
The size of the plan made OWA more than a single attraction. It was intended to function as a destination where families could sleep, eat, shop, attend events, and spend several days.
The phased approach also reduced the need to complete every proposed element before opening. The amusement park, hotel, and first commercial spaces could begin attracting visitors while later sections remained under development.
Why Foley Was Selected
OWA was built near the intersection of the Foley Beach Express and County Road 20. The location placed it along one of the primary routes used by travelers heading toward Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
The resort was approximately nine miles from the beach communities. That distance was close enough to benefit from coastal tourism while leaving enough available land for a large development.
Foley had already established itself as a shopping and service center for southern Baldwin County. The city also wanted to become a stronger destination for youth and amateur sports tournaments.
Land near the Foley Beach Express offered several advantages. Visitors could reach the site without driving into the most congested beach areas. Large parking facilities could be constructed, and future expansion would not be as restricted as it would have been on a narrow barrier island.
For the Poarch Band, the location provided access to an existing tourism market rather than requiring the company to create one from nothing.
A Partnership with Foley Sports Tourism
OWA was developed beside the Foley Sports Tourism Complex, a major municipal investment built around tournament travel.
The city’s plans included 16 outdoor fields and a large indoor events center. The facilities were designed to host soccer, lacrosse, football, volleyball, basketball, and other competitions.
Youth tournaments bring more than athletes into a community. Parents, siblings, coaches, officials, and supporters also need accommodation, meals, and activities between games.
OWA was intended to serve those families. A team could compete at the sports complex while relatives visited the amusement park, restaurants, or shops. Families could also extend a tournament trip into a short coastal vacation.
The relationship benefited both projects benefited both projects. The sports complex provided a regular source of potential customers for OWA, while the resort gave tournament organizers more entertainment and accommodation options to promote.
This connection was one reason the development was expected to attract visitors outside the traditional summer beach season. Sports events could be scheduled during spring, autumn, and winter, helping local hotels and businesses during quieter periods.
Projected Economic Impact
The original announcement included ambitious economic projections.
When fully developed, OWA was expected to support close to 3,500 direct and indirect jobs. Those positions would include construction workers, ride operators, hotel employees, restaurant staff, retail workers, maintenance teams, managers, entertainers, and suppliers.
The developers projected that OWA could bring approximately one million additional visitors to Alabama each year. They also estimated that the resort could increase tourism spending in South Alabama by about 7 percent and add close to $250 million to Baldwin County’s economic output.
These were projections rather than guaranteed results. Large tourism developments depend on visitor demand, operating costs, weather, competition, and the success of their individual attractions.
The figures nevertheless showed the scale of the plan. OWA was not being presented as a local carnival or small roadside park. Tribal and city leaders viewed it as a regional destination capable of affecting employment and tourism throughout coastal Alabama.
Economic Diversification for the Poarch Band
The OWA project formed part of a wider effort by the Poarch Band to diversify its business portfolio.
Revenue-generating tribal businesses can fund government services, education, healthcare, housing, cultural preservation, and economic programs for tribal citizens. Diversification also reduces dependence on one industry or property.
OWA moved the Tribe further into family tourism, amusement attractions, conventional hotels, dining, retail, and sports-related travel.
When the project was announced, some residents speculated that the property could eventually include a casino. Tribal representatives said gaming was not part of the OWA plan and consistently promoted the project as a family-oriented tourism destination.
The Foley property was designed around attractions that could appeal to residents, beach visitors, sports teams, school groups, and families traveling through the region.
A Small Southern Town as a Design Idea
The commercial section of OWA was planned as a walkable district rather than a conventional enclosed shopping center.
Its architecture drew from Southern towns, with storefronts facing pedestrian streets and buildings designed to appear as though they had been constructed during different periods.
Early plans divided the development into areas such as the Downtown District, Warehouse District, and amusement park. A lake, bridges, landscaping, and gathering spaces helped connect the individual sections.
This arrangement served practical purposes. Visitors who did not purchase amusement park tickets could still enter the dining and shopping district. Local residents could visit a restaurant, attend a public event, or walk through the area without committing to an entire day at the rides.
The design also supported festivals, live music, holiday celebrations, and other events that could bring people to the property throughout the year.
The First Amusement Park Plans
The amusement park was the most visible part of OWA’s first phase.
Developers planned approximately 20 rides, including attractions for young children, families, and visitors seeking larger thrills. The park’s signature ride became Rollin’ Thunder, a steel roller coaster with a steep first drop and several inversions.
Other attractions included spinning rides, traditional midway games, family rides, and smaller experiences for children.
Unlike a traveling fair, the park would operate from a permanent landscaped site. Buildings, walkways, water features, and themed areas were designed as long-term parts of the resort.
The attraction also gave coastal visitors an alternative during rainy or cooler days. Beach tourism is strongly affected by weather, while a mixed entertainment district can provide several indoor and outdoor choices.
The Hotel and Overnight Market
A 150-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott was included in the first phase.
The hotel was particularly important to the relationship with the sports complex. Tournament families often need rooms close to playing fields, especially when events begin early in the morning or continue for several days.
It also allowed OWA to operate as more than a day-trip destination. Guests could stay near the amusement park and commercial district while remaining within driving distance of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.
Extended-stay features such as kitchen facilities made the hotel suitable for families and groups spending several nights in the area.
By combining accommodation with entertainment and sports facilities, Foley could compete for visitors who might otherwise stay closer to the beach or in another tournament city.
From Announcement to Opening
The first phase moved quickly after the November 2016 announcement.
The Park at OWA officially opened on July 21, 2017. The opening-day attraction included 21 rides, midway games, food service, a gift shop, and Rollin’ Thunder.
The amusement park opened first, while restaurants and retail businesses in the surrounding district began operating in phases later in 2017.
This gradual rollout meant that early visitors sometimes encountered sections still under construction. It also allowed the development to begin generating revenue while additional tenants prepared their spaces.
Some original expectations changed during construction and operation. Individual businesses came and went, attractions were added, and the property’s identity developed beyond the plans presented in 2016.
Downtown OWA Develops Around the Park
The pedestrian district became known as Downtown OWA.
Restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and event spaces opened along streets surrounding the central lake. The district hosted live performances, holiday events, fireworks, parades, markets, and community celebrations.
This part of the resort was important because an amusement park alone can be difficult to operate as a year-round destination. A mix of restaurants and public events gives visitors reasons to return even when they do not plan to ride attractions.
Downtown OWA also increased the number of experiences available to adults accompanying children or athletes. A parent could visit a restaurant or shop while another family member attended the park or sports tournament.
The model reflected the original goal of building several connected destinations rather than one gated attraction.
The Arrival of Tropic Falls
The most significant later expansion was the creation of Tropic Falls.
In 2022, the existing amusement park was renamed Tropic Falls Theme Park and connected with a new indoor water park. The first section of the water park opened on June 27 of that year.
The indoor facility covers more than 100,000 square feet and is protected by a convertible roof made with approximately 1,800 glass panels. It includes water slides, a lazy river, children’s play areas, dining, and other attractions.
The design addressed one of the Gulf Coast tourism industry’s largest challenges: unpredictable weather. Visitors could use the indoor water attractions during rain, cold periods, or intense summer heat.
An outdoor section later added a large wave pool and additional water-based activities. Together, the theme park and water park turned the original amusement project into a broader all-weather resort attraction.
The water park expansion required more than $70 million and fulfilled one of the major future concepts identified when OWA was unveiled in 2016.
Further Growth Across the Property
OWA continued adding businesses and accommodation after the water park expansion.
A luxury recreational vehicle resort opened near Downtown OWA, expanding the property’s appeal to travelers who preferred to stay in their own motorhomes or trailers.
New restaurants, recreational businesses, event venues, and entertainment concepts also joined the development. The Poarch Band announced plans for another resort-style hotel beside Tropic Falls.
By November 2023, the Tribe reported that its investment in OWA had reached approximately $414 million when completed and active expansions were considered.
The total remained below the potential investment of more than $500 million described in 2016, but the original proposal had always been a long-term development plan rather than a single construction contract.
How OWA Changed Foley
Before OWA and the sports complex, Foley was already an important commercial stop for Gulf Coast visitors. The city had outlet shopping, restaurants, local museums, and businesses serving residents and beach traffic.
The new projects changed Foley’s tourism role. Instead of functioning mainly as a place travelers passed through on the way to the shoreline, the city could market itself as a destination.
Sports teams could remain for tournaments. Families could visit amusement rides and water attractions. Restaurants and events could draw residents from Baldwin County and neighboring parts of Florida.
Development also required roads, utilities, traffic planning, emergency services, and coordination among the Tribe, city, businesses, and tourism organizations.
Growth brought new employment and tax activity, but it also increased traffic and placed more pressure on infrastructure near the Foley Beach Express. Large attractions rarely affect only the land inside their boundaries.
A Tribal Investment with Regional Reach
OWA demonstrated how a tribal enterprise could influence an entire regional economy.
The Poarch Band invested on non-reservation property and formed a close working relationship with the City of Foley. The Tribe developed the resort while the city built the adjoining sports facilities and supporting infrastructure.
The project created jobs for tribal and non-tribal residents, attracted businesses, and added an entertainment option serving visitors across the central Gulf Coast.
It also made the Poarch Band more visible to travelers who might previously have associated the Tribe mainly with its reservation near Atmore or its other business operations.
The Creek-derived name, tribal ownership, and occasional cultural programming kept that identity connected to the destination as it expanded.
From Construction Site to Coastal Resort
The November 2016 announcement described an ambitious plan: a 520-acre destination organized around a lake, amusement park, hotel, stores, and restaurants.
Less than a year later, the first rides opened. Over the following years, Downtown OWA gained businesses and events, the amusement park expanded, and Tropic Falls added a large indoor and outdoor water park.
Not every part of the original concept appeared immediately or exactly as first presented. That is normal for a development intended to grow in phases. Tourism patterns change, tenants change, and new opportunities alter the plan.
The central idea, however, remained intact. OWA became a place where visitors could combine entertainment, accommodation, dining, shopping, and sports tourism within one part of Foley.
What the Poarch Band unveiled in 2016 was therefore more than a proposed amusement park. It was a long-term attempt to reshape how travelers experienced coastal Alabama—and to give them a reason to stop before reaching the beach.