The city purchased Horseshoe Farm 13 years ago, with plans to turn the 146 acres off U.S. 401 into a park. Today the land remains the same as when it was purchased, caught in a tug-of-war between those who want a nature park and those who want more.

On Tuesday, Mayor Charles Meeker placed both Horseshoe Farm and plans for the Northeast Raleigh Community Center on the council's May 15 agenda. Meeker hinted it was high time the city came to a resolution over what to do with the land.

The debate over Horseshoe has been particularly nasty. At one point, the two sides bickered over meeting minutes taken by the park's master planning committee.

While reasonable people can disagree, this issue has dragged on way too long. Raleigh prides itself on involving various stakeholders in the decision-making process, an approach meant to facilitate compromise. In this case, no such bending has occurred.

Opponents of a more active park have their smoking gun, an 11-year-old city document that identifies Horseshoe as a nature reserve -- though park officials dispute that. They also point to the area's diverse ecosystem. Park planners, meanwhile, say they have a wider constituency to consider, namely the legions of current and future North Raleigh residents in desperate need of a community center.

About the only thing that appears certain at this point is that debating Horseshoe Farm is no longer productive.

A master planning committee recommended a less intense park, yet many remain concerned the council will follow the Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Greenway Advisory Board's recommendation and add more active recreation features to the plan.

I say it's time the City Council stop kicking the can down the road and make a decision.