Published: August 21, 2008 11:53 pm         

Trails system is a must for Enid’s future

The Enid city commission, parks board and residents need to make a trails system in Enid happen.

Just this past week, it was announced Oklahoma has the eighth highest obesity rate in the nation. Type 2 diabetes is becoming a state and national health problem.

People need to be moving more.

Higher fuel prices can be a catalyst to getting people to think of other ways to get where they’re going, such as walking or biking. Plus, many people are interested in running, skating and other aerobic exercises.

Enid needs to be progressive in this area, and that means it’s time to develop a quality trails system that connects people to businesses, schools and parks. Employers looking to expand and employees looking for jobs rate quality of life right behind good public education as a huge factor in choosing to live and do business in a community. This isn’t a luxury item anymore. This is a necessity.

Trails systems are expensive. It will take a combination of public and private funding to get a quality trails system going in Enid. It’s also a project that can’t be done in a year or two. It will take several years to get the system started and expand it at a reasonable rate.

The city must apply for the grants through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and other grants also must be pursued. Private funding will be needed, as will funds set aside from the city. The city has hired a firm to develop a trails plan for the community, and this group has a good track record of working well with small communities.

It’s time to embrace this idea and start working on a way to make it happen.