Sunday, August 7, 2011

Recreation plans for Ballard set for discussion Dan Rodgerson

Uintah Basin Standard
8/21/06
Aldon Rachele

Uintah County Parks and Recreation Director Dan Rodgerson asked the Ballard Town Council to develop a master plan for their recreation needs last Tuesday.

Even though the Parks and Recreation Special Service District will have less funds due to creation of new special service districts in Uintah County, it will still be one of the best funded parks and recreation departments in the state with mineral lease funds totaling an estimated $30 million this year.

We are positioning ourselves to have three-quarters of the funds coming to the district and a good stream to outlining areas Ballard and other communities, Rodgerson said.

A master plan of how the Ballard wants its park to look in 10 years is a major priority when it comes to receiving funding, and Rodgerson wants the towns elected leaders and residents to be involved in the process.

Know your priorities, he said. We have to make sure we protect our investment and need a draft of understanding. We are looking for input.

Rodgerson told the council that he has heard from some Ballard citizens who are interested in having a skate park, while others want an amphitheater at the existing park.

However, the council said it isnt ready to announce its plans. Instead, theyve decided to seek public comment at an upcoming meeting.

Councilman Ace Davis, who is assigned to oversee parks and recreation in Ballard, said residents who come to the meeting should think big, but remember that the amount of funding the town will receive from the Parks and Recreation District hasnt been determined yet.

In the past, Ballard has benefitted from Parks and Recreation funding, which help construct a walking path and pavilion, install a sprinkler system, plant lawn and pave a parking lot at its park north of Highway 40 near the Ballard LDS chapel. The district has also been doing maintenance work on the small park near the city building.

Many people have been using the pavilion at the Ballard Park, said Councilman Bob Abercrombie. It is good that mineral lease money is coming back to the community.

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