With a new pavilion under construction, the BrookhavenRecreation Department is continuing its efforts to further improvethe city park on Hartman Street.

“It’s going to be a big benefit,” said Terry Reid, BRDdirector.

Construction on the 20-feet by 20-feet pavilion began last weeknear the park’s tennis courts. Some structure work is expected tobe completed in a few days, and Reid said a foundation would bepoured in a couple of weeks.

“We’ll have it for (tennis tournament) registration, and peoplecan use it for picnics or whatever,” Reid said.

Reid said two picnic tables, which were built by local BoyScouts, will be placed at the pavilion.

A $2,500 grant from the United States Tennis Association and$1,200 from the Lincoln County Tennis Association provided thefunds to build the pavilion and also to give free tennis lessons toarea enthusiasts, Reid said.

Thirty-six young people received lessons earlier this year, andregistration for adult lessons is now under way. Reid said interestis high for the adult class, which is limited to around 35 membersand starts Oct. 4.

Recreation officials are awaiting word on a grant for a walkingtrail for the city park. The department has applied for funds toconstruct the half-mile trail.

“We should know about the walking trail by Oct. 1,” Reidsaid.

The trail would be funded on an 80 percent federal, 20 percentlocal basis through the Recreational Trails Program. Reid said thePearl River Basin Development District would provide 10 percent ofthe local match with the city and county handling the rest.

Reid said he was optimistic the funds would be forthcoming andthe trail could be developed. The walking trail area would belighted and have stops along the way for walkers to perform variousexercises.

Recreation officials hope to have the trail completed by thesummer of 2005, which would be toward the end of the city’s fiscalyear.

“That’s going to about finish it up for this year,” Reid said ofthe pavilion and walking trail, “but it’s going to make a bigdifference in the park.”