Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Parks And Recreation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Lehi offers to maintain and upgrade Willow Park, seeks long-term lease or purchase
Summary
Lehi officials proposed taking over maintenance and improvement of county-owned Willow Park, offering either a long-term lease (city suggested 100 years) or purchase and committing to upgrades including an expanded dog park, maintenance facilities and improved canoe/kayak launches. Commissioners raised concerns about enforceable investment commitments and state limits on lease length.
Lehi city representatives presented a proposal to assume maintenance and make substantial improvements at Willow Park, which is currently county-owned. The city’s presenter said Lehi would treat Willow Park as a regional facility and either accept a deed transfer or enter a long-term lease, proposing upgrades such as an expanded dog park with gravel base and drainage, a maintenance shed and staging area, RV-park improvements, new picnic shelters and revegetation along the Jordan River. “This is not a Lehi Park,” the presenter said, adding the intent is to maintain it as a regional park serving northern Utah County.
Commissioners asked for firm commitments that would be incorporated into any legal agreement. One commissioner said the county would be reluctant to enter any lease unless city commitments to investment and ongoing maintenance were contractually specified; the presenter said the city would budget for construction and maintenance and could accept language preventing future sale of parkland similar to an earlier Saratoga Springs agreement. Commissioner questions also addressed policing and fees; Lehi said its police department would patrol the park and that fee structures would be the same for county and city residents.
The county chair and other commissioners pressed on lease terms and statutory authority. One commissioner noted a practical concern about long lease durations and requested legally enforceable investment amounts be spelled out; another raised a possible state limit on lease length (a 50-year cap was discussed). Lehi representatives said the city would prefer very-long-term security—suggesting a 100-year lease or purchase—because it plans to invest significant funds over time.
No formal action was taken at the work session. Staff said a drafted agreement reflecting specific investment commitments and any legal limits on lease duration would be required before placing this item on the regular agenda for a decision. The commission directed staff to pursue drafting options and indicated the item may appear on the consent agenda for the next meeting if language is prepared.
