BOUNTIFUL—After receiving input during three public meetings, and contemplating several different conceptual designs, a Master Plan for development of Washington Park in Bountiful has received approval from city council, contingent on funding and phasing in of different elements.

The design firm of MGB+A gave city council a report in November detailing the public input process that led to creation of three preliminary maps and a proposed Master Plan design. Depending on what elements of the plan are implemented, the new park could cost between an estimated $2.5 and $3.38 million, including a 20 percent cost contingency to cover fluctuations in market conditions as the park is built.

On Dec. 14, council voted to approve the Master Plan that will provide space for 12 pickle ball courts and a 14,000 square foot skatepark. The rendering shows only 8 pickle ball courts and that will change as the park is built. It also includes two full-size lacrosse fields, a third field that could be used for sports such as Little League football, two playgrounds 

(one for children ages 2-5 and one for children 5-12), a small pavilion, a medium pavilion, restrooms, a concrete walkway that circles the park, three parking lots that provide more than 200 spaces, and low water plants. 

The bulk of the park is taken by the two lacrosse fields which the city contracted for use by the Davis School District (who sold the property to the city after Washington Elementary School was demolished two years ago). 

Council agreed that the park’s construction could be done in phases, as funds to complete the project to Master Plan specifications would cost more than the $2.5 million set aside from the General Obligation Bond passed in 2020. There have been suggestions that a private/public partnership between groups with vested interests in the park’s development, i.e., the pickleball and skate park communities, could help with paying for construction. Another option that Bountiful City could explore is renewal of its RAP (Recreation, Arts and Parks) Tax, which could provide additional funding for a phase of construction. The Long Term Capital Plan identifies possible expenditures of $800,000 for a future skate park and $1 million for a renovation project at Twin Hollows Park.

The turf area of the park will likely be paid for by the Davis School District per its agreement with the city for use of the fields for high school lacrosse.

Two recommendations for the park include adding netting around the lacrosse fields to protect other park users, and using asphalt for the walking path rather than concrete. A lot of these recommendations will be addressed as the park is being constructed, and changes could be made as costs are estimated.

Approval of the Master Plan should allow preliminary construction to begin in the spring.