Salt Lake County voters to decide $128 million parks and recreation bond

Salt Lake County voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve a $128 million bond for county parks and recreation, FOX 13 reported. The county has identified 30 projects, including a recreation center at Union Park in Midvale, renovations at Hunter Park in West Valley City and trail work at Big Cottonwood Regional Park. ^[1] The county's bond page describes a measure of up to $128 million that would mature in no more than 11 years, and the county estimates an annual cost of $16.39 for an average home valued at $658,000, with no net property tax rate increase. ^[2] The project list includes a $21 million Union Park Recreation Center in Midvale and $4 million in picnic area, court and other upgrades at Hunter Park. ^[3]

Eric Biggart, communication director for the Salt Lake County Mayor's Office, said the county does this about every 10 years. He said the new bond would replace a 2016 bond that built the Draper recreation center and Bingham Regional Park, and that property taxes would stay at $1.37 a month, with no increase or decrease. ^[1]

Jamie Walker, president of Mt. Olympus Fastpitch Softball, told FOX 13 that county plans show the Union Park recreation center on two of three softball fields. The county told the station the plans are preliminary and may change, and that it will work with Midvale City and the league. ^[1]

Voters quoted by FOX 13 supported the measure. Debbie Williamson of North Salt Lake called parks improvement a great idea, and Ryan Workman of Midvale said he would back it even if it cost a little more. FOX 13 did not quote anyone opposing the bond. ^[1]