The fears of many people who love Sugarhouse Park were brought to fruition last week when the new Sugarhouse Park Authority granted Highland High School priority and perpetual use of part of the land within the park for its home baseball diamond. With a history of only eight months, no mission statement, charter or thorough review of public sentiment, the Authority has possibly made the most influential and far-reaching decision in the park's 38 year history.
For the first time, a special interest group has been given long-term priority use. It doesn't appear that most of the Park Authority members comprehend the priority-use issue. After allowing Highland High a long term priority use agreement, what will stop other special interest groups seeking priority use in the park from asking for "just a little piece of land" like Highland High has?I did not understand the urgency with which board member Ted Wilson pushed for the vote. Wilson said, in effect, let's vote now and get the details later. For such an important decision to be rushed through by the Park Authority is irresponsible.
It is imperative for the Park Authority to shut the door now to any of the other groups wanting long-term priority use and allow the park to be left as open green space available for multiple and various use to all people and not a maze of specific-use and priority-use land.
Liz Davis
Salt Lake City