Spanish Fork rebuilding North Park

SPANISH FORK — Construction is in full swing for a new North Park to replace the old park that was torn up to become a business-recreation area.

City leaders contracted construction of the recreation phase themselves, rather than wait on business development, which is now in a holding pattern. A dedication is scheduled for the city's 24th of July celebration. The park is just off the I-15-U.S. 6 interchange and is scheduled to be rebuilt with the state's I-15 Core project.

"The (North Park) project was approved four years ago," Mayor-elect G. Wayne Andersen said.

The project stalled, however, while the Army Corps of Engineers looked at a structure to move water out of the area. The recession hit next, further delaying the project.

Home Depot owns a 10-acre site, but likely won't build this year, Andersen said. Other stores committed to building out the complex are also waiting for the economy to improve.

"Originally the developer was going to do the park," city recreation director Dale Robinson said. "We took away North Park. The people weren't happy about that. Rather than continue to wait for things to turn around we decided we needed to give that back to the citizens."

The $4 million budget, which includes infrastructure for the business element, will include in the nearly 10-acre park:

A pavilion with roll-up doors large enough to seat 320 people, a food preparation area and restrooms.

An interactive water feature to play in.

Two playgrounds, one for toddlers and the other for kids age 5 to 12.

A plaza with tiered grass seating.

A gazebo in the gardens area.

Two shade structures near the playgrounds with picnic tables.

A second, smaller pavilion on the west end near a sand volleyball court and a barbecue area.

A bermed "great lawn."

A trail system that is to eventually dovetail into the city's master-planned trail.

e-mail: rodger@desnews.com