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The Town of Little Mountain has been approved for a recreation grant.

The S.C. Parks, Recreation and Tourism grant will help to enhance the Rocky Branch Creek Trail head.

The grant totals $33,500 and the town will receive $26,800 but they will have to match 20 percent of the grant which Little Mountain Mayor Buddy Johnson says will come through capital projects.

The town was one of 10 to receive a grant from a pool of 43 applicants. They have been working on this trail head since 2007, according to Johnson. However, they turned in the grant application in April which Johnson says was about an inch thick of paperwork.

The trail is off Dreher Island Road and starts about a block and a half past Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church and goes towards the eastern peak of the town.

Johnson says that they want to make the trail as handicapped and elderly compliant as possible so that everyone may be able to enjoy it.

However, there are challenges to overcome because of the rocks serving as the backbone and Johnson says it is important to preserve the many species of plants and flora as well as the rocks and minerals.

In order for the trail to be Americana with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant, Johnson hopes to have the trail at least five to six feet wide.

However, Johnson does add that hopefully the shelter and picnic area should be completed in a few weeks.

In November, Johnson says that nature expert Rudy Mancke will come to the town to dedicate the trail head site.

In other news, the history of Little Mountain will become more publicized.

At Tuesday’s town council meeting, it was announced about a Newberry College Professor Dr. Nick Di Liberto, will work on researching and compiling the history of the town.

Johnson stated that this is something that they have wanted to do for years now and the opportunity was in their own back yard.

Di Liberto and his wife, Dr. Susan Epting, reside in Little Mountain and Epting will serve as a council member next year.

About a few years ago, there was a historical DVD put out and they have had people bring in historical items.

Now, the project will resume and Di Liberto will present the information in some sort of format such as a book or collection.

In other news, the Little Mountain community center is set to start construction on the library portion in October.

Johnson states that just the interior portion with heating and air, lights, etc. will be worked on.

The next town council meeting is Oct. 9 at town hall at the 7:30 p.m.