By Jason C. Mattox

The newest walking trail in Batesville, tucked away behind the ball fields at Trussell Park, may still be a secret to many.

But not to some.

The trail needs some type of enclosure due to ATV traffic, said Parks and Recreation Superintendent Robert Lightsey.

Lightsey noted the problem, and suggested at least one solution, to Batesville’s mayor and board of aldermen last week.

Erecting poles with rope barriers would make the track inaccessible by an ATV or vehicle, he said.

Vehicles were driven on the trail during the evening hours while baseball games were also taking place, he said.

“I don’t want to see us have to fence it in, but we need to do something to keep those ATVs and such off the track,” he said.

The walking trail, completed just in the last few weeks, was built with a $100,000 grant from the Miss. Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

The trail was extended from a quarter mile to almost three-quarters of a mile thanks to the grant.

The city contributed a 20-percent match, which included an in-kind contribution of city labor.

In other board business:

• Aldermen voted to pay Jason Adams for his performance at the July 4 celebration.

•BPD officer Scott Cagle was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

•Batesville Civic Center Director Roy Hyde said the crowd for the July 4 celebration was approximately 2,500 on site with a larger crowd gathered along Highway 6.