Two new city parks planned for Hyrum this year, mayor says

HYRUM–Plans for two new parks and a fire station, a dog pound, solar panels for the library and a national award for a sewer manager were the highlights of the second-ever State of the City address Thursday. The event was hosted by the Hyrum Lions Club. Before a crowd of 21, Mayor Dean Howard addressed key issues from 2010 in the Cache Valley town that had a population of 7,600 last year.Perhaps the news that caused the greatest buzz was the word on the upcoming development of Salt Hollow Park. The park, which according to Councilman Martin Felix will be located within 100 and 300 North streets on Hyrum’s west end, is slated to include a pond, picnic tables, restrooms and a “splashpad” similar to the one that has been popular since its construction at the Gateway Mall in Salt Lake City in 2002.Lions Club president Mike Larsen, who has lived in Hyrum his entire life, was excited at the prospect of a new recreational area. “I think it will be fun,” Larsen said. “This water fountain they’re building will only make it bigger.”One of the attractions of Salt Hollow Park will be a sleigh-riding hill. According to Felix, the hill will be 30 feet tall, and will satisfy the many young families that live in the city.”My grandkids will love that one,” Larsen said of the appeal of the man-made slope.Felix was grateful to have the opportunity to pay back the Hyrum residents with something that is recreational and fun. “We were glad to have the opportunity to provide something like this for the community,” he said. “It’s going to be a nice addition.”No additional tax will be required in order to build the park, since the Hyrum City Council obtained a $50,000 RAPZ tax grant for its construction. Cache Valley RAPZ (Recreation, Arts, Parks, Zoos) revenue helps fund public areas.The other park, located on the east end of town, will be known as Blacksmith Park. While its features are more limited than Salt Hollow, it will have a duel-purpose retention basin that will also serve as a soccer field during the warm-weather seasons. Howard suggested that if there is an adequate amount of frozen water in the retention basin during the winter, it could also serve as an ice rink.Howard said that a “unique” feature of Blacksmith Park will be a dog run that will allow for the pets’ owners to let their canines run loose within a designated area.

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