The removal of the old station would make room for a pair of lacrosse-size fields behind the city offices. A few weeks ago, the entire lacrosse team of Olympus High School showed up in uniform to encourage the new fields.

"We need more recreation," said parent representative Mark Lamborn. "We need to be involved in outdoor sports more and more."

The property in question was granted to Holladay on the condition that it be used for a community purpose. The question now has become one of choosing among good options.

"I would like a little more support from the city," said Stark, who feels thwarted at every turn by official decisionmaking.

Recently, the city put in a sidewalk near a historic house sitting on the property. That, along with other site work, resulted in the destruction of a handful of baby fruit trees planted by the gardeners at the city's request.

Holladay city manager Randy Fitts said the gardeners jumped the gun on the trees and that the soil on the property is very poor for gardening. Fitts wants to encourage public/private partnerships that dot the city with small gardens.

Salt Lake County Refugee Services is simply excited to see Utah residents interacting with refugees.

"The success of this garden would help us look for other plots," said Ze Min Xiao, Refugee Services liaison.

Meanwhile, some remain disgruntled.

"The success of that property is the community. It's not what the city's done," said gardener David Wright. "This is an example of what you can do."

E-mail: rpalmer@desnews.com