Draper regional park to celebrate farming heritage

Highlights will include a trail system, farm-themed playground, crop-circle swings.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
"Gene loved this land. It was his desire that the land be forever protected," said Wendy Fisher, Utah Open Lands executive director, looking to the heavens in celebration of Gene Wheadon, who passed away before the project was planned. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
A variety of lettuces, chard and cabbage grow at the Wheadon Farm Regional Park farmed by David Bell, who grows food for a Community Supported Agriculture share. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Jefferson Dozier cuts red chard in the fields of Wheadon Farm Regional Park. Dozier works for David Bell, who leases the land to grow food for a Community Supported Agriculture share. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Beets lie on the ground on the Wheadon Farm Regional Park farmed by David Bell, who grows food for a Community Supported Agriculture share. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Mason Redding, 11, (right) and his cousin enjoy playing on an old farm tractor during the ribbon cutting at Wheadon Farm Regional Park, Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. The large farm-themed park features a play barn, a climbing haystack, and a hay derrick.
Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Seth Egan pushes his children, nieces and nephews on the playground swing during the ribbon cutting at Wheadon Farm Regional Park, Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. The large farm-themed park features a play barn, stump-pulling tractor, a climbing haystack, and a hay derrick.
Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
l-r Bell Farm CSA owner David Bell and Urban Farm & Feed owner Maryann Alston, and son Ben, 2, grow vegetables on the farmland at Wheadon Farm Regional Park. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
"It's very important not to push this land out of the city," said Urban Farm & Feed owner Marty Alston, who grows pumpkin, winter squash and tomatoes on four acres of Wheadon Farm Regional Park. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune
Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

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Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune "Gene loved this land. It was his desire that the land be forever protected," said Wendy Fisher, Utah Open Lands executive director, looking to the heavens in celebration of Gene Wheadon, who passed away before the project was planned. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune A variety of lettuces, chard and cabbage grow at the Wheadon Farm Regional Park farmed by David Bell, who grows food for a Community Supported Agriculture share. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Jefferson Dozier cuts red chard in the fields of Wheadon Farm Regional Park. Dozier works for David Bell, who leases the land to grow food for a Community Supported Agriculture share. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Beets lie on the ground on the Wheadon Farm Regional Park farmed by David Bell, who grows food for a Community Supported Agriculture share. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Mason Redding, 11, (right) and his cousin enjoy playing on an old farm tractor during the ribbon cutting at Wheadon Farm Regional Park, Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. The large farm-themed park features a play barn, a climbing haystack, and a hay derrick. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Seth Egan pushes his children, nieces and nephews on the playground swing during the ribbon cutting at Wheadon Farm Regional Park, Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. The large farm-themed park features a play barn, stump-pulling tractor, a climbing haystack, and a hay derrick. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune l-r Bell Farm CSA owner David Bell and Urban Farm & Feed owner Maryann Alston, and son Ben, 2, grow vegetables on the farmland at Wheadon Farm Regional Park. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune "It's very important not to push this land out of the city," said Urban Farm & Feed owner Marty Alston, who grows pumpkin, winter squash and tomatoes on four acres of Wheadon Farm Regional Park. Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed. Leah Hogsten | The Salt Lake Tribune Urban farmers and city and county planners and dignitaries celebrated the amenties of Wheadon Farm Regional Park on Wednesday, June, 29, 2016 in Draper. Wheadon Farm Regional Park is one of three regional parks funded by the $47 million Park Bond, authorized by voters in 2012. The Gene and Deane Wheadon farm was a working farm from the early 1900s to 1997, when a conservation easement was placed on the property by the Wheadon family. The 64-acre farm was purchased by Salt Lake County with the 2006 Open Space Bond and master-planned 2008. Phase I of the park will be constructed.

The Salt Lake Tribune

· June 30, 2016 12:19 pm

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

A regional park that will highlight the agriculture heritage of Draper and other south valley communities moved closer to reality Wednesday.

Salt Lake County and Draper City officials performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off construction of Wheadon Farm Regional Park, 14125 S. Bangerter Parkway.

The 64-acre Gene and Deane Wheadon farm, where family members worked from 1900 to 1997, was purchased by the county with funds from a 2006 open-space bond.

Proceeds from a $47 million parks bond approved by voters in 2012 will be used to build the first phase of Wheadon farm as well as two other regional parks in the valley.

The park's first phase will include a farm-themed pavilion that will be available for rent, restrooms, a parking lot and a loop-trail system, hundreds of trees, open grassy areas for unprogrammed play and a multipurpose field, said county parks spokeswoman Callie Birdsall.

In keeping with its theme, she added, Wheadon Farm will have a farm-themed playground that includes a barn, a stump-pulling tractor, a haystack for climbing, a hay-derrick tire and crop-circle swings.

"During this time of rapid growth and development in the county, residents deserve access to places where they can get out and exercise and relax," said county Mayor Ben McAdams.

The vibrancy of the county, he added, is advanced by "park development and open-space preservation for our families and visitors, now and in the years to come."

—Mike Gorrell