The old CCC Campground was awarded a new name Monday.
The Brewton City Council voted unanimously to rename the park, the E.O. Wilson Nature Adventure Park.
The park was once home to a Civilian Conservation Corps camp, part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal in the 1930s and early 1940s.
Plans are under way to turn a 48-acre gifted piece of property into a Brewton city park with a pedestrian bridge, walking path, RV park, aquatic garden, kayaking and a zip line.
The city has big plans for the anonymous gift of 48 acres across the creek from Burnt Corn Creek Park, and is aggressively seeking grants to fulfill the dream.
Wilson was born in Birmingham but moved with his family to Brewton when he was 15. From an early age, he was interested in natural history and later went on to be known as the “father of sociobiology” and a Pulitzer Prize winning author.
“It was here in Brewton that Wilson explored the area and later became an Eagle Scout,” City Clerk Steve Yuhasz said.
According to Wilson’s biography, he was blinded in one eye at seven, and the accident forced him to “focus on the little things.” He went on to specialize in myrmecology, the study of ants.
In other business, the council:
• approved the annexation of a lot owned by Councilman Pat Poole on Belleville Avenue. The property is situated feet from the city limits. Poole was not in attendance of the night’s meeting. Councilman Joe Watson voted against the annexation, stating it set a precedent for disgruntled property owners.
“If someone doesn’t like what council district they’re in, they could come and asked to be moved to a different one,” Watson said. “It’s just not fair.”
• approved necessary paperwork for record-keeping for the city’s Community Development Block Grant project in the Lovelace/Connelly areas.
• appointed Kate Owens to the city’s tree and beautification committee.
• heard from Will Ruzic from Costal Gateway on the organization’s upcoming energy summit.
• saw to the swearing in of Yuhasz as the new city clerk.