WOODS CROSS—Residents on the east side of Woods Cross City now have a place to play. The city converted the retention basin at 1950 S. Wildcat Way (625 W.) into a park that officially opened June 26.

“There will be two play structures,” said Woods Cross Public Works Director, Sam Christiansen. “One for the younger crowd from 2 – 6 years old and the other is for kids 6 – 12. We’ll also have benches so that parents can enjoy the day while watching their kids play.”

Wildcat Park will have a bowery with one table where people can come and have lunch at the park, he said. “There is a walkway around the entire park. Part of it uses the sidewalk that is already there and we added concrete on the north side of the park. The park will also be fenced off by a four foot wrought iron fence so the kids can’t get into the roadway.”

Christiansen said the project is in conjunction with UDOT who owns the property. “It’s a piece of land where the community can gather.”

It’s a retention basin during heavy storms, he said. “The park is above the basin area. We have other parks that are retention basins like Mills Park. It’s common practice to help keep the areas nice and manicured so it’s not full of weeds. The majority of the time it’s a great play area for kids.”

If there is water present, Christiansen said there is signage to warn people to be cautious. “But we haven’t seen major water in the six to seven years that it’s been there.”

The property is just under one acre and the project cost $559,000, he said. “It’s paid out of impact fees. When there’s something like a housing development they pay impact fees.Those go to funding the park.”

It’s been a long time coming, said Christiansen. “We’re excited to provide for some residents on the east side a place to play. We’ve received extremely positive feedback. The residents are just so excited they can’t wait. They stop by every day and give comments. It will be good. That area is transitioning. There are a lot of first time homebuyers with kids moving in there.”