Gov. Robert Bentley has announced $75,000 in grants to expand recreation opportunities in southwest Alabama.
Bentley announced a $50,000 grant to enable the city of Brewton to add outdoor features to a newly acquired property adjacent to an existing park, and a $25,000 grant to enable Monroe County to continue converting a section of a former rail line into a multi-purpose trail.
“Projects like these are helping an increasing number of residents discover Alabama’s wonderful outdoor heritage,” Bentley said. “While I am sure these projects will be enjoyed by local residents, I also expect visitors from other areas to be attracted.”
Brewton has added 42 acres to its Burn Corn Creek/Jennings Park from adjoining acreage that was formerly part of a Civilian Conservation Corps camp created in the 1930s during the Roosevelt administration. Using the new property and grant funds, the city will expand a lake from five to 10 acres and add features to encourage paddling sports. The city also will build a comfort station and install a zip line on a sloping area of the property.
Monroe County will use its grant to continue converting 7.4 miles of abandoned rail line into a trail for biking, hiking and walking. The trail, which includes a tunnel, will connect Monroeville, Peterman, Tunnel Springs and Beatrice.
Brewton pledged $50,000 in local matching funds for its project while Monroe County committed $25,000 in local funding. LWCF grants require a 50 percent local match of funds or in-kind material and labor.
Bentley notified Yancey E. Lovelace, mayor of Brewton, and Greg Norris, chairman of the Monroe County Commission, that the grants had been approved.
Congress created the LWCF program in 1964 to assist states with the development and preservation of outdoor recreational facilities. The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs is administering the grants.
ADECA manages a wide range of programs that support law enforcement, economic development, workforce development, recreation, energy conservation and water resource management.
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Contact Jim Plott or Larry Childers