MEDIA ADVISORY
September 23, 2014
Contact: Callie Birdsall
Communications & PR Manager
Salt Lake County Parks & Recreation
(385) 468-1806 office (385) 226-7177 cell
Mayor McAdams Joins Draper Mayor and Utah Open Lands
to Break Ground on Wheadon Farm Park
Draper, UT— Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation will break ground for Wheadon Farm Park on Wednesday. Located in Draper, Wheadon Farm Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012.
The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned in 2008. Now, with funds from the 2012 Park Bond, Phase I of the park will be constructed.
Located at 13800 South and Bangerter Parkway, Phase I of the park will include a farm-themed rentable pavilion, restrooms, parking lot, loop trail system with pedestrian bridge over the canal, hundreds of park trees, un-programmed lawn areas, and a multipurpose sports field. The park will also feature a large farm-themed custom playground complete with a play barn, stump-pulling tractor, climbing haystack, hay derrick tire and crop circle swings. Interpretive signage and activities will include the history of Wheadon Farm, educating visitors about past farming practices and the modern on-site urban farming program.
“Everyone deserves access to places where they can get out and exercise, relax and unwind from work and school,” said Mayor McAdams. “As an important part of building healthy families and vibrant communities, Salt Lake County has chosen to include parks and open space for our families and visitors, now, and in the years to come.”
WHO: Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams
Draper Mayor Troy Walker
Utah Open Lands Executive Director Wendy Fisher
WHAT: Ground Breaking
WHEN: Wednesday, September 24 – 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: Wheadon Farm Park
13965 S. Bangerter Parkway