Which way did it go?

Seems a good question when considering the Troy Recreation Department’s latest proposal for a walking trail at the complex on Enzor Road.

The city learned earlier this week it received a $100,000 recreation trail grant from Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly which trail earned the grant.

How is that so, you ask?

The city sent in three different grant proposals for the walking trail, starting with a basic oval track-like trail and evolving to a trail throughout the large expanse of the rec center complex, including woody areas.

And, it appears at first glance, the grant was awarded for the original proposal.

That draft, which is the least attractive, calls for an oval walking track through the empty lot at the rec center complex.

But, as city leaders wisely noted this week, that property is much too valuable to commit solely to a walking track, especially since the grant requires a 40-year commitment to maintain the walking trail.

If the grant can’t be “transferred” to a better trail proposal, we strongly urge the city to say simply say “thanks, but no thanks.”

While our community would benefit from a walking trail, we think it will benefit only from the right kind of walking trail.