- Ogden residents urge city leaders to preserve a public green space for community.
- The Ogden School District is selling the former Taylor Canyon Elementary site.
- A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support the preservation efforts of the park.
OGDEN — What people in one Ogden neighborhood see as a public green space is now up for sale. Homeowners are making a plea to city leaders to step in and save it.
Sometimes it's what we stand to lose that brings a community together.
"Once it's gone, it's gone forever. So, we really want to help develop it into something that's going to help the neighborhood," MJ Merkley, who lives close to the space, said.
About 50 neighbors met recently at the site of the former Taylor Canyon Elementary school at 2130 Taylor Ave.
"We're not afraid of development," Hannah Wagner, who also lives near the space, said. "But to tear down a park that is utilized by so many people in the community doesn't feel like developing the community."
Right now, anything is on the table, as the Ogden School District must sell off properties that aren't being used for educational purposes.
"As part of that process, the city and the county do have a first right of refusal to be able to have an opportunity to purchase the property," Luke Rasmussen with Ogden School District said.
That's why these neighbors are working together, turning to Ogden city leaders for help with this space of about 5 acres.
"I see all of the people that use it. There's an elderly couple that walks on the stairs every night to come up and play basketball together. There are people with their dogs and their kids," Stacia Ryder, another concerned neighbor, said.
Ogden city has faced the chance to buy school property several times in recent years.
The former site of Grandview Elementary was sold to a developer. Currently, it's being turned into housing. And, the former Lynn Elementary was bought by the city with the intent to use, at least a large part of it, for recreation.
For now, homeowners are approaching the City Council with a simple request.
"Please save my park," 2-year-old Georgie Bowman said.
A GoFundMe* has been started to help preserve the green space.
Weber County is not interested in buying the property. Ogden city is considering it and will have 90 days to decide.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
