THE PECK FAMILY PARK SHOULD SERVE THOSE PAYING FOR IT - THE CITIZENS OF LEHI CITY

In December 2005 Lehi City entered into an agreement to purchase 66.2 acres of land located at 1900 North 500 East for $7,200,000 ($108,761 per acre). Later, an additional five acres was purchased by the city for the amount of $1,040,000.

Preliminary planning has occurred on the property in various forms since 2006. In 2009, the "Lehi City Parks, Trails & Recreation Master Plan" identified the area as having insufficient park facilities. Suggestions were made in a 2010 update to "provide a stopgap level of park service in several underserved areas of the community until larger parks such as Peck Park come online." The master plan shows these stopgap improvements as being primarily "passive" (leisure type) facilities in nature.

Increasing discussions about the type of facilities appropriate for the park have invited comments from groups not directly associated with Lehi City to construct competition facilities that will benefit private organizations. By nature, these organizations can be well organized and may not serve the best interests of the local taxpayers who will be paying for the improvements.

A recent survey conducted of the citizens illustrate a strong majority interest in the construction of park facilities that are passive in nature. The interests of "Walking", "Playgrounds", "Swimming", "Jogging" and "Sledding" ranked as the highest. In regards to desired amenities, the survey reported (by response percent) the top five as "Trees"(57%), "Children's Play Equipment" (53%), "Restrooms" (51%), "Drinking fountains" (51%) and "Walking paths" (47%). Other desired amenities were "Picnic shelters" (32%), "Football/Soccer/Lacrosse fields" (20%) and "Baseball fields (11%).

Lehi city also had a traffic survey performed in regards to the type of impact different facilities would have on the area that surrounds the park. It is clear that a large competition complex would have a significant negative impact to the area due to regulated game scheduling. However, passive facilities do not experience the same problems due to attendees coming and leaving at will.

It is our opinion that both "passive" and "active" facilities be included in the design of this park. There should be a emphasis on these "passive" facilities because they are in high demand by the general public and are of a rare opportunity. The active facilities should be adaptable for a variety of uses as public demand requires. Soccer, Lacrosse and Football by example, can be altered by season and demand. Scheduling can be set to avoid regular traffic congestion. By comparison, large single sport complexes are seasonal, sit idle the majority of the time and when in operation, serve those outside our city.

It is important that the leaders of Lehi City hear from the concerned citizens that are interested in the city recognizing the majority interests of the "Lehi City Parks Survey." It is also imperative that this park should be for the general use of all who have and will pay for it.