There could be swimming and paddle boarding at Burnt Corn Creek as early as the spring thanks to a $50,000 grant.
Brewton Mayor Yank Lovelace said Thursday the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs funds will allow work to begin immediately.
“After a long process to be certain the development of the property, known by some as the Old CCC Camp, passed all environmental, cultural and historical assessment,” Lovelace said, “We received word this week that grant agreements will be in place in early January. Work can begin immediately.”
The detailed study of the property will allow future grant applications to proceed more quickly, officials said, though the required surveys caused delays in the start of work on the first project.
Park development on the more than 100 acres donated to the city will happen in phases with expansion to the gravel pond, construction of a comfort station and preliminary work on a zip line course all part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund grant project. The funding requires a local match, which can be in-kind, officials said. 
Other applications to fund work on the property are pending, officials said, including construction of multi-purpose trails, outdoor classroom areas and a recreational vehicle park among others.
Expansion of the pond will allow recreational activities like paddle boarding and swimming likely by spring 2015 and the comfort station will open the area for primitive camping in the coming months, officials said.
“It’s an exciting time to be in Brewton, and we will keep working to improve the quality of life here day by day,” Lovelace said.