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Neighbors urge quick plan to preserve playgrounds on former Wasatch Elementary property; board to draft letter to Parks and BYU
Summary
Residents raised alarm that playground equipment on the former Wasatch Elementary site straddles city park and BYU property; the neighborhood board agreed to draft a letter and seek meetings with Parks staff and BYU to clarify plans and seek preservation or alternatives.
Neighborhood residents told the District 2 board they fear losing playgrounds that sit on the former Wasatch Elementary property after BYU acquired the land. Speakers said playground equipment is heavily used by children and community members and that the property line crosses the play area.
One resident urged fast action, saying the equipment is “heavily used… we’re gonna lose our only playgrounds for big kids shortly if we don’t have a plan.” The comment prompted board members to discuss next steps for quickly learning what, if any, plans BYU has for the site and whether park equipment can be preserved or replaced.
Board member George Hanley offered to request a meeting with the parks director to clarify existing conversations between the city and BYU and to determine whether a maintenance or lease agreement exists for the equipment. “If you wanna draft a letter, get some signatures behind it, you want, and I can request a meeting,” Hanley said.
Board members assigned drafting of a community letter to the chair and a board member and requested that Parks director Doug be contacted for any existing information. The board said it would circulate the draft to signers and would add neighborhood observations and usage documentation. A board member noted she had already received emails from neighbors and requested that residents forward photos or notes documenting playground use to support any preservation request.
Staff and board members encouraged immediate outreach to Parks and Recreation and suggested the board would present the neighborhood’s concerns to the mayor’s office or council staff if needed. Board members said they would provide updates after Parks staff respond and after any meetings with BYU or city officials.
No formal city action to change property rights was taken at the meeting; the board’s action was to draft and circulate a community letter and to request a meeting with Provo Parks staff to determine current maintenance arrangements and plans for the site.
