Bluffdale City is experiencing a lot of growth, and the City Council wants to make sure that the parks and open spaces are available to both current and future generations. They are currently seeking input from residents to find out what they want in trails, parks and open spaces. 

At a Jan. 28 open house, residents were able to see overviews of open spaces, existing parks and trails, and proposed parks and trails. The 20 residents who attended were asked to mark what area of Bluffdale they live in on a map and were given stick-it notes and markers to add input directly on the displays. 

The city also has an online forum where residents can voice their opinions at planbluffdale.com. 

City officials would like the open space plan to reflect the community’s priorities and vision. Along with an assessment of the current park systems, facilities and trails, Bluffdale officials are hoping to create a concise and actionable plan for future development. In doing this, they are also planning to take into consideration the needs and thoughts of those who live in Bluffdale.

“Bluffdale residents value the land. It’s what unites us. We want to preserve that,” City Councilmember Heather Pehrson said.

A significant addition to existing Bluffdale parks and open spaces is an 80-acre park being put in by Salt Lake County Recreation. The park will be located at 14000 South 2700 East. Construction is already underway; the first phase of the park is expected to open in the spring of 2016.  Amenities in phase one include multipurpose sports fields, an open lawn and sledding hill, three pavilions, two restrooms, three basketball courts, two tennis courts, eight pickle ball courts and a children’s play area with a splash pad.

SLCR project manager and landscape architect Morgan Selph designed the play area with a Rocky Mountain theme in mind. The three slides in the play area will come off a play tower that resembles a forest fire watch station.

“The splash pad will have a soft water area for the younger kids, and then a waterfall with a harder water adventure for the older kids. We also have a 300-foot wall around the splash pad that kids can climb on. It’s not tall, and there is even an area designed for toddlers,” Selph said.