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Consultants present ‘Plan Play Lehi’ findings as city weighs park investments
Summary
Design Workshop and Ballard King presented draft findings from the Plan Play Lehi parks-and-recreation system plan, saying rapid population growth and high program demand have left some facilities, notably the Legacy Center and outdoor pool, undersized; the consultants urged completing undeveloped parks, acquiring land and considering new indoor aquatics and program capacity.
Design Workshop planner Anna Layborn and Ballard King consultant Scott Caron told the Lehi City Council on Dec. 10 that the city’s parks and recreation system faces mounting pressure from rapid population growth and strong resident participation.
The consultants said Lehi grew more than 56% in the past decade and now serves a large youth population and higher-than-average household incomes. That demographic mix, they said, explains why program registrations, fitness participation and membership at the Legacy Center are high compared with national medians.
“We found the Legacy Center is very well run and highly utilized,” Caron said, noting membership and program capacity that exceed typical benchmarks. The consultants reported wait lists above 60% for some youth team sports and class capacities routinely over 80%, conditions they said indicate facility and staffing constraints.
The draft analysis showed Lehi’s park inventory is roughly 73 properties and 1,670 acres, including 52 parks, eight natural areas and 13 undeveloped/proposed parks. A walk-shed analysis found about 67% of housing is within a 10-minute walk of a developed park; the consultants said many communities target closer to 90% and recommended improved access planning.
On aquatics, Caron said outdoor and indoor pool capacity is limited: Lehi currently has one outdoor pool and benchmark data suggest a city of about 90,000 people could support two outdoor pools. The outdoor pool also lacks zero-depth play features that residents requested in engagement feedback.
Consultants emphasized community input: more than 2,200 completed survey responses, pop-up events and youth engagement helped identify priorities such as splash pads, contemporary playgrounds, trails and more restroom and shade infrastructure. “Seventy-seven percent felt completing undeveloped parks is very important or essential,” Layborn said.
Council members asked for additional detail about local benchmarks and how nearby communities’ facilities were counted; staff said the presentation is an initial analysis and that the plan will include draft recommendations and cost estimates in a later session. The consultants said they will return with a draft plan and recommended priorities for budgeting and a February budget retreat discussion.
The council took no formal action on the plan at the meeting; staff said refinements will be presented in a future draft and the public will have further opportunity to comment.
