Parks staff warns West Canyon Park creek can be slippery after boy life-flighted; city to brainstorm remedies

Anthony Pearson of the Cedar City Parks Department told the council on July 16 that a young boy slipped in the park’s newly renovated creek feature on Sunday and was life-flighted to a regional hospital. Pearson said he had spoken with the child’s mother, who reported the boy is recovering but will need months of recuperation.

Pearson said the creek carries reclaimed or secondary irrigation water and can become slippery, possibly because of algae. Existing signs at the creek already say “caution,” “no lifeguard on duty,” “parental supervision required,” “surface may be slippery,” and they note the water is reclaimed. Staff said they cannot add substances to the creek water (for example chemical treatments) that could flow into irrigated fields.

Pearson said Parks will brainstorm surface remedies, meet with Rotary and consider whether to change signage or add surface treatments that do not affect downstream agricultural use. Council members and staff discussed whether the slip occurred on the creek bottom or at an embankment; Parks staff said the family believes it was “right off the bottom.”

Additional park issues raised in the meeting included sprinkler scheduling and spot problems in the Iron West area and follow-up on other construction items and water testing done by BCI at the site. Parks staff said they will double-check irrigation clock settings and follow up on isolated valve issues.

Ending: Parks staff will convene a meeting with Rotary and other partners to identify short-term warnings and longer-term remedies for the creek area and will report back to the council.