The community of Plum Grove, in western Lowndes County, got an early Christmas present, as details were finalized allowing Lowndes County to move forward on plans to build a softball field and park area on Minnie Vaughn Road West.
Weyerhaeuser completed a land swap Monday, for the purpose of donating the 10 acres of land to the community for the recreation facility, District 4 Supervisor Jeff Smith announced today.
The Columbus-Lowndes Recreation Authority last month voted to accept the land, which is adjacent to the Plum Grove Community Center. Weyerhaeuser traded 10 acres of land on Carson Road to Glen Mast, owner of Mast Farms LLC, who owned the Plum Grove land.
After the holidays, Smith said, the Board of Supervisors and other key community members will host a groundbreaking ceremony at the site.
And Plum Grove community members are “very excited,” Smith said. “It allows people out there to realize the importance of recreation in the area.”
Smith sees the park as an opportunity to offer recreation to a community which otherwise doesn”t have those opportunities nearby.
“Quality of living is most important,” he said. “When you”re in an area that is isolated and doesn”t have those things, it means everything.”
He expects the facility to build a sense of community.
“This gives them an opportunity to unify the community in one location throughout the year,” Smith said.
While no timeline has been set on construction, Smith hopes to begin moving dirt by spring.
Lowndes County will fund the field”s construction — estimated at $40,000 to $50,000, according to District 4 Supervisor Jeff Smith — and mow the grass after it”s completed. Additional maintenance will be the CLRA”s responsibility.
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