New outdoor adventures could begin as soon as next week along Burnt Corn Creek in Brewton.

Burnt Corn Creek & Trail outfitters is leasing the abandoned gas station near Burnt Corn Creek/Jennings Park, and will begin kayak, tube and canoe rentals in the coming weeks. Equestrian trail riding is also part of the plan.

“This is a huge step forward in economic development for our city,” Brewton Mayor Yank Lovelace said. “Our overall plan is to improve the quality of life here and take advantage of the natural resources we might have previously taken for granted. Having Burnt Corn Creek & Trail in our park fits perfectly with our objectives.”

The business is owned by Brewton residents James Chris Fields and Jim Kennedy.

Fields said he anticipates hiring about six employees to help run the rental business he and his cousin have started.

“We have mulled over this idea for three or four years,” Fields said, “and began seriously talking about it a year ago. When we learned about all the plans for development at the park, I called Jim and told him it was time to do this.”

Kennedy said his family has been taking advantage of the cool water in the creek for generations. Kakaking and canoeing have been pastimes for more than 20 years, he said, and horseback riding has been a pursuit for more than a decade.

Lovelace said the new operation is part of a larger objective to spur growth in ecotourism as the city focuses on developing more than 50 acres of wilderness along Burnt Corn Creek. Plans for the park include a recreational vehicle campground, primitive camping, a zipline course, amphitheather and pavilion.

Ecotourism will be key to the success of the park, Lovelace said. The new park hosted its first official event over the weekend as teams searched for treasure in the first Brewton Geocache Poker Run.

Canoe, kayak and tube rentals vary by the length of the trip, Fields said. Prices depend on the length of the trip and quality level of the equipment available, they said. A target date for the soft opening of the business is Aug. 15, Fields said.

For more information about the outfitter or to book reservations, check out the company’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BBCandT.