At the Carroll County Board of Commissioners retreat last Saturday, county officials received requests from several cities asking for additional SPLOST money to fund green space and recreation department projects, and considering the reception the requests received, the county will likely opt to fund these projects at its next meeting.

“I think they’re good projects,” Board of Commissioners Chairman Bill Chappell said on Saturday.

Altogether, Roopville, Temple and Mt. Zion are asking for $535,000 to go toward various projects. If the board approves the requests, the money will come out a 2003 SPLOST fund designated for green space and recreation projects inside city limits.

Roopville is asking for the least of the three at $40,000 for construction of a walking trail, picnic area, a children’s play area and a scenic overlook. All of this would be located roughly behind the Historic Roop House, built in 1885 by the city’s founder, J.K. Roop.

According to a letter addressed to Chappell from “Town of Roopville,” the city currently has many residents who walk daily, and “this trail would enable them to exercise in a pleasant environment away from traffic.”

The scenic overlook would provide views of Blackjack Mountain, Turkey Heaven Mountain and even the city of Bowdon on a clear day.

Mt. Zion hopes to use the county SPLOST money to help develop a recreation complex in the area. The city is requesting $150,000 to add bathrooms, a concession stand and a small storage area to a baseball field, $5,000 for an addition to the storage building already located at the field, $2,500 for a portable pitching mound and $40,000 for a storage building for organization of equipment.

Temple is also looking to spend the money on recreation projects. Should they receive the money, $70,000 would go towards grading around the park to help with water flows, $70,000 for concession stands and a press box, $42,535 for a complete revamping of eight baseball and softball fields, $30,000 for a walking trail and sidewalk, $30,000 for a fence around the rec complex campus and $25,000 for new aerobic equipment.

“I don’t mind giving them the money to do these projects with. Once we give them the money we’re clean of it,” said Commissioner John Wilson. “That’s the one thing I like about giving money for these projects.”