Residents of Salt Lake City's Ballpark neighborhood are raising urgent concerns about the proposed development plan for their area, particularly regarding the lack of adequate green space. During a recent meeting of the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency, Amy Hawkins, chair of the Ballpark Community Council, highlighted the pressing need for more parks and natural lands in a community that has been experiencing significant growth.

Hawkins pointed out that the 2019 parks and public land needs assessment revealed that the central community, including Ballpark, has the lowest park service in the city, with only 2.8 acres of park space per thousand residents. Despite this, the current draft plan for the area includes only 2.4 acres of planned green space, which represents just 16% of the site. This is a stark contrast to the existing amenities at Smith's Ballpark, which already offers a baseball field and picnic areas.

The community's health is closely tied to its environment, and Hawkins emphasized that Ballpark is a major heat island, experiencing higher temperatures, especially at night. She urged city officials to consider the long-term implications of their decisions, questioning how the neighborhood's climate will change over the next 50 to 100 years.

The meeting also touched on broader discussions about public land use, with concerns raised about proposals to sell off public lands for housing development. Residents expressed their desire to preserve these spaces for future generations, advocating for a balanced approach that prioritizes both housing and green space.

As the city moves forward with its development plans, the voices of Ballpark residents underscore the critical need for thoughtful consideration of environmental impacts and community well-being. The outcome of these discussions will play a significant role in shaping the future of the Ballpark neighborhood.