Highland is eager to perk up park

HIGHLAND — Given a few more years and several million dollars investment, the Highland Glen Park could re-emerge from obscurity into splendor.

But it'll probably take a significant financial commitment from city residents, maybe even a multimillion-dollar bond.

"This is a long-term process, something that won't happen quickly but more like over the next 15-20 years," said Highland Mayor Jess Adamson after a presentation by the city's park ad hoc committee. "And it'll take money."

The park was originally created by volunteers as the Adventure and Learning Park, built as a project for use by the public as well as for residents of the State Developmental Center, which is located to the south.

For years it was a popular regional park tucked into the hollow between Highland and American Fork and famous for its native vegetation and wildlife.

But it fell into disrepair after Utah County took it over and struggled with the upkeep.

Highland city bought the property five years ago for $1.4 million and has been trying to design the park's future to match resident expectations.

"We have an opportunity here," Adamson said. "But there are still questions. We are deed restricted. When we bought the property from the state, we agreed it would always be open space, park space, something that would benefit the developmental center."

That means Highland cannot sell any of the property for residential or commercial development to raise money, and whatever the city does needs to provide a regional benefit.

Highland has thus far hired a landscape design consultant, looked at plans from private individuals and commissioned a citizen's committee to determine what ought to occur in the park.

Committee Chairwoman Trixie Walker and City Councilwoman Jan Dowling told the City Council recently that the committee found the park needs more landscaping and a general cleaning out of deadwood and overgrowth as well as a number of improvements, some that are expected to be costly.

Dowling said the west entrance to the park needs to be rehabilitated and more widely advertised as an official entrance.

She said the park road to the north pavilion should be closed and that no roads should go through the park. There is a need, however, for a new road from 4800 West to the far north area of the park where ballparks and soccer fields are planned.