Construction of a paved fitness trail at the Troy Sportsplex is underway.

After receiving a $100,000 grant for the project from the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, the City of Troy eventually planned out a budget-friendly route for the path that winds through the wooded area behind the Sportsplex.

“I drove the trail a few times in an ATV, and it’s absolutely beautiful down there,” said Troy Parks and Recreation Department Director Dan Smith.

The ADECA grant also required a $20,000 match from the city.

Contractor J.B. Evans was the winning bidder for the development that promises to provide some shade for an already established group of fitness- minded residents who have been active in the area.

“We have a lot of people who come out walking and jogging every day,” Smith said.

Those people have improvised their own trails around the Sportsplex property, which Smith said will still be used.

“We’ll use our properties natural trails to complement the new paved trail,” he said.

The paved trail will be a 1.2 mile loop about eight feet wide that meanders through the woods just beyond the outdoor pool at the Rec Center.

The additional network of natural trails is taking shape throughout the property including the open field to the east of the Rec Center and around the soccer and baseball fields. Those trails will connect to the paved trail at various spots.

As a whole, Smith said the system of paths will be comparable to a trail in the City of Dothan which is partially paved and partially natural.