Walking trail path altered

By Holli Keaton (Contact) | Troy Messenger

Published Wednesday, August 26, 2009

The City of Troy hit a stumbling block in its plans to create a new walking trail, but it has found an alternate route.

“It’s scaled down slightly to meet our budget,” said Troy Parks and Recreation Director Dan Smith.

But, Smith said the city’s residents will still see a 1.2-mile addition to an already existing trail at the Troy Sportsplex.

“We have been very creative (in meeting our budget),” Smith said.

The trail, which will be funded with a $100,000 grant from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, received bids much higher than amounts allotted for construction, with the lowest bid coming in at $182,000.

The project will require a $20,000 match from the city of Troy.

After reviewing plans, Smith said the path has been altered to pave only the portion of the trail that goes through the wooded area, while the part outside will be natural.

“The wooded area — the most important area — will be paved,” Smith said. “It was going to be paved from the rec center, down through the woods, but as it is now, it will be natural, clearly marked and designated areas for the earth and grass trail.”

Smith said the trail will be comparable to a trail in the City of Dothan, which has a portion natural and another paved.

Altogether, the walking trail should be a little more than two miles.

That 1.2 mile trail will be added to an existing 1.5 mile walking trail.

And, Smith said the trail already naturally in place will become part of the new trail, making it a longer area for people to walk, jog, bike or even rollerblade.

Smith said he anticipates construction will begin in September.

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