MURRAY — There's something fishy about Murray's newest city park, and that's one big reason why Willow Pond Park is expected to hook so many residents.
The 30-acre, $3 million park is still in the works — the baseball diamond won't open until the spring, and the two full-size soccer fields won't be playable until next fall.
But Saturday, the pond itself will open its banks and fully stocked interior to the first 1,000 young anglers who drop by for a new experience. Willow Pond Park's two playgrounds have been open for weeks, but the 4-acre pond will provide an experience kids can't get at just any city park.
"This is the first time in Utah that an urban fishing pond has been designed within an active park," said Murray Parks and Recreation Superintendent Kim Sorensen.
Willow Pond Park, at 6059 S. Murray Parkway Ave., had been in the planning stages since the 1970s, but development funds were not identified until recent years.
Former City Council member Ren Souza, in fact, made financing the park his central campaign issue and worked hard during his stint on the council, 2000-2001, to put together a funding package.
"It was a very difficult thing to get going out of the ground," Souza recalled. "It's going to be a premier park where families will be able to come and have fun and make great memories that will last their lifetime."
Former City Council Chairman John Rush gives Souza full credit for making the park a reality.
"Initially, when Ren brought the concept for the park to the mayor and City Council, he was harshly and roundly criticized," Rush said. "My initial reservations were relative to the funding of the project, not the concept.
"Ren was very passionate about this project, and it is fair to say I was lobbied intensely."
Sorensen said money to pay for the park came from the city's general fund, federal grants, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Salt Lake County and private donors.
Saturday's pond-opening event, "Fish Daze," begins at 8 a.m. and continues until 1 p.m. At half-hour intervals, kids ages 13 and under with tickets for the event will be allowed to fish from the pond. Fishing rods and bait will be available for those without their own equipment.
Tickets can be obtained in advance at any RC Willey location, Fish Tech Outfitters (6153 S. Highland Drive) or the Murray Parks and Recreation office.
At 6 p.m., the pond will open to adult fishers, who must have a fishing license and adhere to the rules of the Division of Wildlife Resources.
The pond is being stocked this week with 2,500 pounds of rainbow trout and several hundred pounds of channel catfish. No boating, swimming or other water activities will be allowed in the pond.
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