Douglas County commissioners are smart not to jump onto the Topeka mayor’s bandwagon when it comes to planning for a regional zoo in Shawnee County.

Topeka Mayor Bill Bunten recently floated the idea of Shawnee County partnering with several neighboring counties to finance a new zoo in which animals would be able to roam free in large, controlled natural areas. The zoo would be located in Shawnee County, but its size and cost haven’t been determined.

At first glance, the mayor’s plan seems focused on trying to salvage the Topeka Zoological Park. The reputation of what once was known as the “World Famous Topeka Zoo” has slipped in recent years, despite the fact that Topeka budgets $1.5 million a year to support it.

No wonder the Topeka mayor is looking for additional investors for his dream zoo.

Zoos are nice, but there probably are better places for Douglas County to direct its resources at this time. The large zoo in Kansas City is close enough for most local residents, and it’s hard to imagine that even a new regional zoo would become a significant tourist attraction.

There’s nothing wrong with Bunten dreaming big, but Douglas County officials are right to shy away from this costly vision.