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SUGAR HOUSE -- Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon believes residents would be willing to pay more each year to get better parks.
Corroon will propose a $110 million parks bond to the county council Tuesday, which if approved, would go before voters on the November ballot. The bond would increase property taxes about $14 a year on a $200,000 home.
Seventy-five percent of the bond proceeds -- or $82.5 million -- would be used to develop new parks in Draper, Bluffdale, on the border of West Valley City and Kearns along with trail construction along the Jordan River and Parleys Trail. It would also provide some funding for the Salt Lake Regional Athletic Complex, which is primarily a soccer facility.
In Salt Lake County, the demand we've had is amazing for use of our recreation facilities and parks. Since I've been here, it's increased 25 percent.
–Peter Corroon
Remaining funds would be used for capital improvements to existing parks and golf courses, such as new restrooms, picnic pavilions and other infrastructure.
The bond, Corroon said, is needed because of the increased demand for improved parks and fields.
"In Salt Lake County, the demand we've had is amazing for use of our recreation facilities and parks," Corroon said. "Since I've been here, it's increased 25 percent."
Low construction costs and low interest rates make now the best time for a bond, Corroon said.
"We have over 104 parks in the county. I believe that it is critical for quality of life in Utah to maintain those and build new ones in areas where they don't have currently regional parks," added Corroon.
The mayor will outline his proposal at Tuesday's county council meeting.
Salt Lake County $110 million Park Bond Proposal 2011
North Area (Salt Lake City, Emigration Canyon Township) $19.2 million
New parks: Salt Lake Regional Athletic City Complex, Parleys Trail,
Improvements to three parks:
Salt Lake City — Constitution Park, Sugarhouse Park, Tanner Park
West Area (Taylorsville, West Valley, Kearns, Magna) $28.5 million
New parks: ATK Heaps Property, Lodestone Park, Oquirrh Park
Improvements to 20 parks:
Kearns — David Gourley Park, Kearns Recreation Center, Loder Park, Mountain Man Park Oquirrh Park
Magna — Magna Copper Park, Magna Mini Parks, Magna Mantel Park, Pleasant Green Park, Utah & Salt Lake Canal Trail
Taylorsville — Meadowbrook Golf Course, Southridge Park, Taylorsville Park, Valley Regional Park, Vista Park
West Valley City — Decker Lake, Hillsdale Park, Hunter Park, Jordan River Trailhead Park (2320 S. 1000 West), Redwood Regional Park
East Area (Cottonwood Heights, Holladay, Murray, South Salt Lake, Millcreek) $19 million
New parks: Big Cottonwood Regional Park, South Cottonwood Park, Granite High School property
Improvements to 16 parks:
Cottonwood Heights — Bonneville Shoreline Trail — Timberline Trailhead, Butler Park, Little Cottonwood Park
Holladay/Millcreek — Big Cottonwood Regional Park (Big Cottonwood Area and Holladay Lions Area), Canyon Rim Park, Olympus Hills Park, Scott Avenue Park (Ben Franklin Park)
Murray — Mick Riley Golf Course, Jordan River Trail (4800 South trailhead), Murray Fields, Riverview Park, South Cottonwood Regional Park, Woodstock Meadows Park
South Salt Lake — Harmony Park, Jordan River Trail at Holms Park and James Madison Park (Oxbow)
Southwest Area (Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton, South Jordan, West Jordan, Copperton) $23.7 million
New parks: Rose Canyon, Yellowfork Canyon, Southwest Regional Park, Western Springs Park
Improvements to nine parks:
Bluffdale/Copperton — Copperton Park
Herriman/Riverton — Riverbend Golf Course, South County Pool Park, Western Springs Park
South Jordan — Equestrian Park, Welby Regional Park (BMX)
West Jordan — Cougar Park, Mountain View Golf Course
Unincorporated Salt Lake County — Yellow Fork Canyon
Southeast Area (Draper, Midvale, Sandy) $15.3 million
New parks: Dimple Dell Regional Park, Wheadon Farm Park
Improvements to eight parks:
Draper — South Mountain Golf Course, South Mountain Park
Midvale — Copperview Park, Dahl Field, Union Park
Sandy — Dimple Dell Recreation Center Park, Dimple Dell Regional Park, Granite
Unincorporated Salt Lake County/White City — Big Bear Park
Jordan River Trail $4 million
Various sections of the trail
Source: Salt Lake County Mayor's Office
Story written by Mary Richards with contributions from Marjorie Cortez
