Even before city officials first began to discuss renovating Propst Park four years ago, there was an idea floating around that would add a new feature to the park and land adjacent to it.

In 2016, Columbus historian Rufus Ward and George Phillips, a Columbus native who is paleontology curator at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, suggested establishing a fossil park along the banks of the Luxapalila Creek which borders Propst Park to the east. For years, this area has been known as prime for exploration and discovery of archeologists and paleontologists.

More than 80 million years ago, the area around Luxapalila Creek in East Columbus was likely covered by an ancient estuary, teeming with prehistoric life. Previously unknown species of now-extinct wildlife are routinely discovered in the area, adding to the historical record of these ancient eras.

Until now, this portion of the Lux has been a natural resource that has not been fully appreciated or embraced, even though archeological tourism has been booming world-wide over the past 30 years.

It’s not as though these treasures are something new. Fossil hunters have been exploring the Lux for decades now, picking up fossils such as shark teeth that are almost as common as seashells on the beach. Important discoveries that tell new parts of the 80-million year story of plant and animal life occur regularly, even though it has never been the subject of an extensive, professional archaeology project. That most of these discoveries have been made by amateur enthusiasts is a testament not only to the popularity of fossil hunting but to the abundance of fossils in the area.

On its own, the fossil park is a project worth pursuing. As an added feature to Propst Park, it provides for what we have been advocating since park renovation discussions began: a diversity of activities.

We see the fossil park as a great enhancement to the park, one that features an educational dimension that should appeal to curious students of all ages, not to mention college archeology majors and professional archaeologists.

Then there are regular folks – and tourists – who love to hunt for fossils.

The balance between these groups is important. In fact, The Archeological Institute of America has produced a guide to best practices for archaeological tourism that protect the integrity of archeological exploration while still offering tourists an opportunity to make their own discoveries of the more common fossils the area has to offer.

On Tuesday, a group of city officials, paleontologists and local fossil enthusiasts received the green light from the city council to move forward with applying for grants to fund what is estimated to be a $500,000 project. Part of those funds would go to purchase private property along the Lux where the archaeological record is believed to be most abundant.

We are a long way from a fossil park, but Tuesday’s actions represent an important milestone.

It’s an idea whose time has come, an idea that benefits the city and Propst Park, education, recreation and tourism. There are few things that check that many boxes.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

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