In a meeting on July 16, West Bountiful’s City Council approved the construction of a new playground at the park on 1600 North. It becomes available to the public in November, according to public works director Steve Maughan.

Over the last several months, the city has worked to make the site ready, starting with the demolition of the 36-year-old playground that once stood in the spot. West Bountiful's public works department then removed the old concrete, expanded the space, reworked the water lines in the area and laid new concrete for the amenity as well as for a sidewalk.

“I think it’s just good to be involved in something that betters the community,” said Steve Maughan, West Bountiful’s public works director. “That’s what our job as a public works team is here for, is to work for the public.”

According to Maughan, construction for the playground began on Oct. 21, with a completion date set 10 to 14 days out. The manufacturer Playworld not only shipped the materials, but took assembly responsibilities as well. 

While the playground will be finished this month, and celebrated during a grand opening ceremony held by the Youth City Council, the public works department is still waiting to receive benches and tables – which Maughan says are currently six weeks out.

A 4,744 sq. ft. space, assembly for the new playground has been overseen by Big T Construction – who developed an adjacent playground for the city at the same park. Maughan and city administrator Duane Huffman have noted that the amenity is designed for smaller children and toddlers, and features slides, swings and objects to climb on.

According to “West Bountiful – A Pictorial History,” the original playground was built as a memorial in 1988 by the family of Brandon McCulley – a child that was killed in a plane crash that year. The city decided to build a new playground once maintenance difficulties began to occur with the previous amenity.

In addition to the playground, West Bountiful’s City Council is currently discussing the start of projects on 660 West – which will involve installing new water lines, rebuilding the road and making improvements to the sidewalk/curb. λ