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Newton council advances Clarke Park improvements while weighing sound mitigation for pickleball
Summary
The Newton Town Council agreed to open the new pickleball courts and approved other park improvements while staff pursues funding for tree planting, a walking path, and sound-damping fence options, with grant matches and donated in-kind work discussed.
Mayor Craig Rigby and the Newton Town Council moved forward on multiple upgrades for Clarke Park on March 5, approving interim steps to open the new pickleball courts while continuing to refine plans and funding for trees, a walking path and noise mitigation.
Councilmember Roland Griffin (park volunteer) told the council a landscaper is scheduled to plant new trees on March 16; planting labor was estimated at $3,220 and the total tree bill is expected to range from $5,600 to $5,700. Griffin said the town has received $3,500 in donations so far and more funds have been promised. He also reported Red Iron Industries owner Greg Phillips will donate a roughly 15-by-30-foot cement pad, gravel and labor for a seating area west of the courts, and that he has repaired a hose bib and scheduled weed-and-feed treatments for May and September at an estimated $700 each.
The council discussed longer-term work: Griffin reported three bids for a walking trail, with the lowest at $29,500. He said Susie Maughan has applied to Tree Utah for a $2,500 grant and is pursuing a Utah Outdoor Recreation trail grant that normally requires a 50% local match but may allow a 20% rural exception; council members discussed combining cash donations and in-kind work (the donated cement pad) as match dollars.
On court noise, Councilmember Anzl Rhodes presented vendor numbers for two mitigation options: extending the fence height (quoted at about $9,880) and installing sound-damping mats (quoted at about $13,000). Rhodes said the vendor reported that installing mats close to the sound source can reduce noise by roughly 50%. Councilmembers agreed to inspect a Providence installation, run tests (including temporary cement blankets or scaffolding), and continue collecting bids rather than committing to the higher-cost option immediately.
Although the council deferred a final noise-mitigation purchase, members decided to unlock the courts and put up nets so the public may use them while the town pursues grants and confirms matching funds. Mayor Rigby and staff will also follow up on contractor reseeding and a sprinkler head that currently sprays the courts.
Clarke Park improvements will proceed in phases: immediate donor-funded and donated-in-kind work to open the courts and allow play, followed by tree planting and grant-driven pathway work pending award decisions and bid results.
