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City staff previews Denius Park and tours new inclusive Town Creek playground
Summary
Auburn Parks and Recreation staff gave commissioners and residents a site walkthrough of Denius Park under construction and showcased accessibility features at Town Creek Inclusive Playground, highlighting wheelchair‑accessible surfacing, sensory components and multiple swing types.
Kevin Kelly, financial project manager with Auburn Parks and Recreation, led a brief site presentation at Denius Park, saying the 13‑acre parcel donated by Sally and Bob Denius includes a driveway from Lehi, parking, a restroom building, walking trails, a playground and both large and small dog parks. "This beautiful area that we now have was given to us by Sally and Bob Denius," Kelly said, and staff hopes to open the site in the late spring once construction is complete.
Kelly told the commission the donor requested the parcel remain a passive park focused on walking trails and preservation of the existing trees; the city also received an $800,000 donation to help defer construction costs. He said crews are chipping removed trees and minimizing ground disturbance while work proceeds.
Elizabeth Kaufman, therapeutic programs coordinator for the city, gave commissioners a short tour of the recently completed Town Creek Inclusive Playground. She emphasized features designed for people with mobility, sensory and cognitive differences: more than 90% of the play surface is accessible turf or poured‑in‑place surfacing; many slides and pieces of equipment are at transfer height; and the site includes a 0‑entry spinner for users who cannot transfer. "Whether you use a cane, a wheelchair, if you're an older adult, a young child, if you have a vision impairment, a hearing impairment, or a sensory deficit, there's something for you in our new inclusive playground," Kaufman said.
Kaufman also pointed to a sensory maze, a musical area with chimes and drums, multiple swing types (including an accessible and a multi‑generational swing), a bouldering wall, a ninja course and an accessible fitness loop. Two of the playground restrooms include push‑button doors to improve access.
Both staff members encouraged residents to visit once sites open and to use the city’s social channels when they do; Kaufman asked visitors to tag the parks on Facebook and Instagram. The commission took no formal action on either presentation; both projects were presented for information and public awareness.
