Snowflake officials weigh land swap and 13‑acre purchase to expand parks

Snowflake council members and town staff at a Sept. 3 work session discussed options to expand parks and preserve open space, including a possible exchange of town-owned parcel APN 202-05-037C and a proposed purchase of roughly 13 acres (APN 202-05-066X) from Dale and Michelle Toone.

Brian Richards, staff, presented the property options and said the town-owned parcel “would be best used as residential,” noting that because the town does not build housing it should either auction the site or trade it for property of equal value. Council discussion focused on keeping land for recreational use rather than trading it away. Lora Jones, council member, asked, “why would the town want to trade this land instead of keep it for something like a park? Love the idea of putting pickleball courts there,” and urged considering resident benefit in that growth area.

Council‑elect Travis Kay said the area is a high‑growth corridor near the bike park and agreed a park would be beneficial. Council member Greg Brimhall said it “would be nice to have a park on each end” to connect with Taylor and asked whether the parcel could be exchanged later for commercial land. For the Toone property, Richards showed a map of recent acquisitions and said the 13‑acre site “is valuable property for a park” in the wash that would extend the town’s natural-wash area.

Council members expressed support for park-oriented uses including pickleball courts and more grassy park space. No formal motion or vote was taken; Richards encouraged council members to continue the discussion at the upcoming regular council meeting.

The council did not set a purchase price or take formal action during the work session; the discussion will be revisited at a future meeting where terms, appraisal data and any motion would be considered.