What are the citizens asking Ogden City leadership to provide?
- WE ARE ASKING OGDEN CITY TO DELIVER THE 2019 ORDIANCE WHERE AS 20 ACRES OF USABLE PARK SPACE WOULD BE ADDED BY 2023 TO MEET DEFICIENCIES.
- WE ARE ASKING OGDEN CITY TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY PARK SPACE OF NO LESS THAN 3.10 ACRES PER 1000 RESIDENTS.
- WE AER ASKING OGDEN CITY TO NOT ONLY ADD USABLE PARK SPACE BUT ALSO MEET THE 1050 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE LAND.
- WE ARE ASKING OGDEN CITY TO PURCHASE VACANT PROPERTIES (Grandview, Lynn, North Jackson) FROM OGDEN SCHOOL DISTRIRCT FOR USE OF PUBLIC PARKS.
- WE ARE ASKING OGDEN CITY TO ENTER A USE AGREEMENT FROM OGDEN SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR THE VACANT LAND AT TAYLOR ELEMENTARY.
- WE ARE ASKING FOR A PARK EXPANSION PLAN IDENTIFIED TO MEET THE MINIMUM OF 32 ACRES OF USABLE PARK SPACE BY 2026.
- WE ARE ASKING FOR CURRENT PARKS TO BE UPDATED FOR SAFE USE AND EXPANDED USE OF OPEN AREAS.
- WE ARE ASKING FOR EXPANDED AMENITIES SUCH AS SOCCER FIELDS, DOG PARKS, AND ADA WALKING PATHS.
- WE ARE ASKING FOR LESS IMPACT ON NEIGHBORHOODS BY PROVIDNG PARKS WITH ONSITE PARKING.
- WE ARE ASKING THAT YOU PLACE THE HIGHEST VALUE ON THE PEOPLE FIRST AND OUR COMMUNITY HEALTH.
Ogden Parks Initiatives was initially sponsored by Steven Van Wagoner in an effort to help kids be more active outdoors and be involved in the healthy community programs, such as soccer. The Ogden Parks Initiative is now championed by thousands of Ogden City residents as well as non-profit organizations and private philanthropist. This movement believes that sound community health and quality of life includes our people's equitable access to public parks. The Ogden Parks Initiative encourages healthy safe parks within a ten minute walk from every citizens home that includes a minimum of 10 amenities at each park.
Summary:
Ogden School District is selling surplus property. Ogden City, a qualified entity to buy has declared intent to build sub-divisions on the three vacant sites being sold.
Citizens of Ogden have untied to halt the sub-divisions and instead want parks expanded per the Ogden City master plan 2019-46 that states that Ogden City is currently deficient 20 acres of park space to meet our community population and need 32 acres by 2028. On October 4, 2022 the initiative sponsor urged our Mayor and City Council take action now to increase community health and equitable access to parks by using all Ogden School District abandoned school sites for public parks. The citizens are asking the city to incorporate all Ogden School District abandoned surplus properties into the Ogden City Parks system. Two of the three properties, Grandview and Lynn Elementary that are currently being sold are already connected to Ogden City Parks. Just makes sense!
Identified Ogden School District Vacant Surplus Property
Ogden City Citizens Request Park Expansion at Three Ogden School District Vacant Properties.
Members of Ogden Soccer petitioned Ogden City Council during December ...
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Letter to Editor in Support by Dr. Kathleen Paco Cadman-
Green space in Ogden are important for our health
Maintaining and enhancing Ogden’s green spaces, including those designated as surplus by Ogden School District, can have life-long health benefits for our community. The single largest factor responsible for our physical and mental health outcomes is the environment in which we live, work, and play; known as our social determinants of health. One category of these determinants, outlined in Health People 2030, is our neighborhoods and built environments, including is the presence or absence of intentional green spaces.
Much of the focus in the Ogden land debate is centered on youth soccer, which promotes physical fitness, teamwork, confidence, and belonging for children and their families. While this is significant, the use of these spaces is vast enough to benefit EVERY member of our society, regardless of age, race, politics, gender, disability, nationality, faith, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status.
These spaces promote societal health and cohesion by providing a place for ALL of us to disconnect from our screens and make meaningful connections with nature, each other, and ourselves. These connections can boost serotonin levels and our parasympathetic nervous systems, both of which promote relaxation, and decrease overly active sympathetic nervous systems, associated with fight or flight responses and chronic stress.
On an individual level, numerous studies show that access to ample green spaces can decrease rates of violent crime among youth, obesity, pregnancy complications, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, depression, heart disease, fatigue, and completed suicides. These conditions have repercussions not only on our quality of life, but also on the budgets of individuals, households, and our state. Nearly a half million Utahans are covered by Medicaid/CHIP, which means that health promotion strategies such as increased access to parks, can save money in the long run, at every level.
Whether looking at green spaces as a form of environmental justice, a spot to cheer on kiddos chasing a ball, a great location for a picnic, a place to walk your dog, or an ideal setting for a stroll, maintaining and enhancing these spaces is in the best interest of each of us and our society.
(Letter to Standard Examiner by Dr. Kathleen Paco Cadman) https://www.standard.net/opinion/letters/2022/dec/22/letter-green-space-in-ogden-are-important-for-our-health/
Letter to Mayor in Support by Student Athlete, Ella Stewart -
Mike Caldwell
Mayor
City Council
Dear Mayor Caldwell:
I am writing this letter to give you a few reasons why I believe we should keep the three school sites, Grandview Elementary, Lynn Elementary, and North Jackson, and incorporate them into the present park community for the use of the citizens. I can see why they would be good to sell. We would gain more money for Ogden City that could go towards public buildings and many other things that can be improved throughout the city, but I think that keeping the parks would be more beneficial to our community.
One reason we should keep the three school sites is because we are limited on parks already. My dad coaches my younger brother's soccer team and we are always searching for new park locations to practice at. This is because the parks are too crowded and it is hard to practice with the team, when the available space is so limited. We have started practicing in South Ogden because of how busy the parks are becoming.
My second reason focuses on how fast Ogden is growing. Per year the average growth rate is around 10,000 people. worldpopulationreview.com Not to mention that many of the people moving here are coming for the amazing outdoor lifestyle that Ogden has to offer. If these properties do sell and become developed there will be potentially hundreds more people trying to share space at the local parks. This could cause major environmental impacts. The more people at the parks, the more crowded they will be, causing more pollution and damage to them. This would also increase the cost of maintaining them. If we choose to sell these sites there will be limited time for them to be used before they are developed. If we keep them they can be used for many future generations in sports and many other things.
My last reason for keeping these sites is that parks can be beneficial to public health. The trees in public parks remove 7,111,000 tons of toxins in the air according to cityparksalliance.org. Green space can also help keep Ogden city cool reducing the heat-island effect and, filter rain which reduces water pollution and helps protect our precious drinking water. City parks also may increase physical activity levels of the citizens. By doing this we may prevent many mental and physical health problems.
As you can see, keeping these three sites would benefit our community by providing more park space for sports and recreation, preventing crowding of Ogden City parks, and helping with the health and safety of our community. Thank you so much for taking the time from your busy schedule to read this letter and I hope that you will understand my reasoning and thinking about why we should keep these three school sites and incorporate them into the present city park system.
Sincerely,
Ella Claire Stewart
(Letter to Standard Examiner by Ella Stewart) https://www.standard.net/opinion/letters/2022/dec/12/letter-many-community-benefits-to-turning-school-land-into-parks/
Letter to Ogden City by Youth Program Director, Tara Jorgenson -
Ogden City Park and Recreations
133 W. 29th Street
Ogden, UT 84401
Dear Ogden City,
I am writing to you regarding the purchase of vacant school properties (Grandview, Lynn, North Jackson and Taylor Elementary). I am asking that these properties are used to enhance the quality of life for all youth, families and the environment. Parks and recreation create a better life for everyone by building strong, healthy and resilient communities.
I have worked with underserved families within Ogden for over 27 years. My experience in creating a better life for these families includes accessing services and assistance to overcome challenges and barriers. Services are short term, but relationships and connections are lifelong.
According to the Landscape and Urban Planning Journal, many communities of color and other marginalized groups, such as LGBTQ+, immigrants, people with low income and people with disabilities, lack the opportunity to experience and engage in high-quality parks and recreation-because these resources literally do not exist near them.
Utah’s 2022 Intergenerational Poverty (IGP) annual report ranked Ogden #1 with the highest counts of adults and children experiencing IGP. IGP examines public assistance, education, well-being/healthcare access, housing and family economic stability. Ogden’s children and their families have very limited access to a local park, and often, the families do not have the means to access parks or engage in costly recreation. I work hard every day to break the cycle of poverty for Ogden’s children and know that open space improves wellbeing, health, mental health and education.
I am concerned for Ogden youth’s mental health. According to the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, in the 12 months preceding the survey, Utah high school students reported the following: 41.5% felt sad or hopeless, 22.5% seriously considered attempting suicide, 18% made a suicide plan, 9% attempted suicide one or more times, and 2.7% had a suicide attempt that required medical attention. The 2019 Prevention Needs Assessment data indicate that overall, 62.2% of Utah students in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 reported experiencing moderate depressive symptoms. Students were also asked social isolation questions and reported the following: 16.4% felt left out, 15.3% felt that people barely know me, 15.3% felt isolated from others and 19.4% felt that people are around me but not with me. Ogden’s youth are becoming more isolated with no outlets for positive social engagement or access to areas for physical activity.
I am imploring Ogden City to provide families the opportunities to experience lifesaving and life-enhancing benefits of parks and recreation located near them. Give our families and our youth an opportunity to engage in a community by connecting with other youth, positive role models (e.g. coaches, team mates, neighbors, and community members), a safe space to be outside, and the ability to engage in healthy physical activities that creates habits that will last a lifetime.
I am requesting that Ogden City honors the people that live, work and make it their home by striving for a future where everyone has fair and just access to quality parks and recreation.
I am asking Ogden City to consider the following:
- Include in the Park Expansion Plan - a minimum of 32 acres of usable park space by 2026.
- Honor the 2019 Ordinance – whereas 20 acres of usable park space would be added by 2023 in order to meet deficiencies.
- Update Ogden’s current parks for safe use and expand open areas. Please include amenities for ADA requirements, walking paths, recreation and dogs. (Standards outlined in – National Recreation and Pak Association – nrpa.org and Utah Recreation and Parks Association – urpa.org)
- Work with Ogden School District to enter into an agreement for the vacated land at Taylor Elementary.
- Maintain a healthy park/green space of no less than 3.10 acres per 1000 residents.
- Including parking in the green space to minimize impacts on neighborhoods.
Thank you,
Tara Jorgenson
Standard Examiner News Articles About Parks in Ogden
Ogden City Leadership
Together lets track all the votes and communication for each of the Council Members, Chief Administrator Officer, and Mayor. Each member of the city leadership will be assigned a score based on their support of initiatives in favor of Parks, People, and Community Health. This is a people first project to keep discussions and their decision front and center for the voters to evaluate.
Chair Angela Choberka
District 1
Vice-Chair Ken Richey
District 3
Councilman Luis Lopez
At Large Seat C
Councilman Ben Nadolski
District 4
Councilwoman Marcia White
At Large Seat A
Councilman Bart Blair
At Large Seat B
Councilman Richard Hyer
District 2
CAO Mark Johnson
CAO - (Reports to Mayor)
Mayor Mike Caldwell
Mayor
These are excerpts taken from the Ogden City, Parks, Recreation, and Trails Master Plan
Ogden City Agenda and Meeting
January 17, 2023 - Work Session Agenda - Ogden School Vacant Land
- January 17, Work Session Packet
- January 17, Work Session Video (Go to Minute )
December 20, 2022 - Work Session - Discussion and Direction of Council Resolution
December 13, 2022 - Council Agenda - Resolution to included Grandview, Lynn, Jackson
November 29, 2022 - Work Session Agenda - Administrations Plan for Vacant School Land
- November 29 Work Session Packet -
- November 29 Work Session Video (Go to Minute 50:00 to see Ogden City Administrations Use Proposal)
Ogden School District Vacant Land Sites
Best way to show you the sites that Ogden School District vacant land is by video. Below find a video walking each site along with the site from a bird's-eye perspective.
Lynn Elementary Vacant Ogden School District Property Attached to Ogden City Parks System.
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Soccer Community Supports Ogden City Decision to Purchase 18 Acres For More Park Space.
Fierce opponents on the soccer field stand united together for more public soccer fields in Ogden. Today Soccer Organization from Northern Utah stand united behind andParks, Ogden Parks Initiative. Avalanche, Gremio, La Roca, Ogden Soccer, Summit FC, Wasatch SC, come together as Club Members of Utah Youth Soccer Organization. andParks, Ogden Parks Initiative, supports more parks and playable space in Ogden City, Utah.
Ogden School District is selling surplus vacant property. Ogden City, the only qualified entity with interest to buy, has declared intent to build sub-divisions on the three vacant sites being sold.
Ogden City’s own Master Plan, in ordinance 2019-46-48, states that Ogden City is currently deficient 20 acres of park space to meet our current population and needs 32 acres by 2028. On October 4, 2022, the community began to urge our Mayor and City Council act now to increase community health and equitable access to parks by using all Ogden School District abandoned school sites for public parks. The citizens are asking the city to incorporate all Ogden School District abandoned surplus properties into the Ogden City Parks system. Two of the three properties, Grandview and Lynn Elementary, that are currently being sold, are already connected to Ogden City Parks. If we don’t prioritize our parks space now the price will get more expensive in the future to meet population growth.
Once Ogden City builds on vacant land, we will never get it back.
Quotes to support More Parks.
Lisa Lauer -“The amount of people moving here is affecting quality of life. We need open space to accommodate the need of outdoor space for our health.”
Jennifer Ewing - “We need green space for our families to enjoy. Our town is getting too crowded, and we don't have enough parks”
Linda DeYoung - “We need more parks in Ogden. Kids need to be outdoors instead of inside gaming. Parks fit with Ogden’s outdoor theme they are always promoting.”
Tara Dominquez - “I live in the Grandview neighborhood and the plot they want to sell always has people utilizing the park. Countless people walk their dogs, I see people playing frisbee, practicing football, soccer, or even just jogging around the park. If you build on this land, where will those people from their neighborhood go?”
Nicole Pitcher - “We need more parks!”
Call to Action – Email Ogden City Mayor and Ogden City Council to support more Ogden parks at OgdenCity@andParks.org.
