By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Oak Mountain State Park is working to build a new, wheelchair-accessible observation pavilion near Peavine Falls after the Shelby County Commission voted during its Jan. 14 meeting to match a grant for the project.

The commission agreed to provide $39,250 in county lodging tax funds or in-kind services to match half of a $78,500 Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs grant.

If the grant is awarded, it will help to construct the observation platform, an Americans With Disabilities Act-approved trail to the platform, a picnic area and a parking area for the trail.

“We’ve always needed an overlook up there,” said OMSP Superintendent Michael Jeffreys. “I greatly appreciate the commission’s support.

“This will not only benefit those with disabilities, but everyone who visits the park,” Jeffreys added.

Jeffreys said the project is a partnership between the state park, the county and the Birmingham Urban Mountain Peddlers off-road bicycle club.

“This was part of (BUMP’s) plan to give back to the state park,” Jeffreys said, noting the organization regularly works to maintain and expand the park’s bike trails.

Plans call for the overlook pavilion to be constructed near the entrance to the red road near the falls.