The Foxboro Wetlands Park, surrounded by residential dwellings, is nearing completion. This park is intended to provide residents with a great location to enjoy recreational activities throughout the year. This space will hopefully be utilized in a way that connects them with nature through the environment by providing a large amount of outdoor space to the area. 

The city of North Salt Lake is now planning an influx of funding for the Foxboro Wetlands Park in order to complete this ongoing project. This funding proposal was brought up by Ken Leetham, the City Manager and Treasurer, at a City Council meeting on May 18.

The project specifically is to rehabilitate the 23 acres of wetlands in ways including the re-creation of the water channel, the stoppage of invasive plant species, planting additional wetlands plants, the construction of boardwalks, and the building of piers. These improvements are aimed at making the area increasingly friendly for residents’ use and improving the health of the wetlands. 

The cost of completing this project is estimated at $3.25 million. However, as Leetham explained, not including an originally planned fishing pond and cleaning station the cost could be reduced to $2.175 million. 

The city had previously received a grant from the Outdoor Recreation Division for this project. This grant is set to expire in 90 days, from the date of the city council meeting, if additional funding for this project is not secured. Luckily, the Redwood Road CDA has created $10 million in available funds for the completion of this project along with sidewalk completion, tree planting, street lighting, signage, striping, property assembly and property acquisition. Further funding will be needed in order to maintain the park and its new facilities when completed. 

The $10 million from the Red Road CDA would be appropriated with $3.25 million for the Foxboro Wetlands Park, $455,000 for sidewalk completion, $488,000 for the planting of trees, $547,000 for streetlights, $100,000 for signage, $45,000 for striping and around $5 million for property assembly. 

Leetham also suggested the use of a 20-year bond to help pay for this project. This bond would not have prepayment penalties and would allow for the city to pay the bond off in 10 years. A 10-year bond was also presented as an option to the City Council. 

The City Council has expressed overwhelming support for the completion of this park. Council member Natalie Gordon said that “the Wetlands Park was a part of her campaign platform and that residents really want to see the park completed.” 

However, Gordon would like to see “[Removal of] the fishing pond and cleaning station from the plan.” This idea was seconded by City Council member Ryan Mumford. “The Foxboro Wetlands Park will be a beautiful amenity for the community,” he said.

The exclusion of the fishing pond and cleaning station has garnered support as it will save the city over a million dollars in funds and allow the project to be finished more quickly. While it was acknowledged that the fishing pond would be a great amenity it seems that the cost of such an attraction is too steep to be pursued at this time. 

With such enormous support, Leetham will present an amended plan and the creation of a bond for the project for approval by the City Council. 

With funding and plans now in motion, residents are expected to be eagerly awaiting the completion of this project, so that they may fully begin enjoying the wetlands.