Oh, GSP has bigger hopes and dreams in the future, Tiggerdad.
First, let me explain that the Alabama State Park system claims that 90% of their budget is funded by we the users through the fees we pay for campsites, entrance fees, etc. During this current round of budget battles (still ongoing), the state parks are threatened with cuts to make people fearful and agree to certain funding actions. Much like our local politicians threaten to cut high school football if this or that property tax is not passed.
Second, let me further explain that within that 90% funding provided by the Park system, the bulk of it is provided by 3-4 State parks who make a "net profit" so to speak which is then spread among the State parks who run at a "net loss" to cover their operating budget. It might surprise no one that Gulf State Park is one of the two parks that run the biggest net profit.
Third, a little history lesson. There used to be a lodge (hotel) run by Gulf State Park along the beach that got blown away with Hurricane Ivan in 2004. It was built in the 70s, retained its 70s furniture and feel, had a beautiful view out the restaurant window (seafood buffet was cheap), and made beach rooms affordable for the common citizen. We stayed there many times before it was destroyed. With the lodge, GSP produced even more profit. Without it, the whole Park system has suffered and cut back. Of course the state did not have the money to rebuild it.
The State would like to use millions of the BP Settlement money to build a new lodge at Gulf to pump more money into the Park system and replace what was lost. Problem is, the settlement money was meant to address the effects of the oil spill which was years after Ivan blew away the lodge. This aerial picture of the old lodge and the old pier (rebuilt in a slightly different location at the top of this article) is in this article which outlines the tug of war over what the money was meant for and how they want to spend it:
http://www.al.com/news/beaches/index.ssf/2015/03/gulf_state_park_lodge_lawsuit.html
The settlement money would also be used to fund other developments at Gulf, some of which are really cool. Some are environmental focused, some are visitor focused, and it's honestly a pretty neat plan.
I may have had my mouth full of shrimp and potatoes so I apologize if I didn't explain it well enough when you fed me. But Randy was right: they got big plans.
Here is the plan:
http://gulfstateparkproject.ua.edu/
It has the potential to be spectacular.
Bama Ed
PS - in the plan link it says Gulf provides 23% of the operating and maintenance budget for the 22-park system. That's a big chunk!
You also can't beat a juice box but I leave those for the kids. 
