Troy honors Gail Jones with new walking trail at Washington Park
Published 2:49 pm Monday, June 30, 2025
- Ms. Gail Jones and family members cutting the ribbon to a new walking trail named in her honor. (Matthew Phillips)
By: Matthew Phillips
A new walking trail at Hubert Maddox Washington Park was unveiled today, June 30, officially named in honor of Ms. Gail Jones to recognize her decades of dedicated service to Troy’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Mayor Jason Reeves speaking on behalf of Gail Jones. (Matthew Phillips)
The community recognized Jones, who served Troy Parks and Recreation for more than 30 years, for her impact.
“If there is any success or anything good that has been done in Parks and Recreation, it is because of Ms. Gail Jones,” Troy Parks and Recreation Director Dan Smith said. “This park has gone through several improvements recently, and Councilwoman Sharon McSwain Holland had the idea of the walking trail. This walking trail is going to be a tremendous addition to this facility, and what better way than to have this ribbon cutting for a woman who has given her career and her love to the city and the community.”
Mayor Jason Reeves praised Jones for her dedication to Troy’s youth, as she has served as a mentor and guide, positively impacting the lives of those in the community.
“Nobody has loved the children in this community more than Gail Jones,” Reeves said. “For you young people out there, strive to be like Ms. Gail.”
The project was funded through the recreational trails program administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs (ADECA), along with city funds. Over the past couple of years, the city has invested in the basketball court and upgrades to playground equipment, as well.
With the unveiling of the Gail Olivia Jones CommUNITY Walking Trail, Troy not only enhanced a neighborhood park—it permanently honors a woman whose life’s work united a community, step by step.
