South Salt Lake » City leaders are negotiating a possible deal with the Utah Transit Authority to sell Workman Park along the Jordan River Parkway to expand a light-rail service center.

The city is also looking into buying another recreational property closer to residents to replace the 4.2 acre park that can be used as a soccer or baseball field, said City Attorney Dave Carlson. The park is tucked inside the city's industrial area at 2350 S. 950 West and sits up against the parkway's trail.

But, some nonresidents said they don't want to see the park axed because it's such a "gem" with "nice bathrooms" located in a central location in Salt Lake County.

"We're just sad they're taking this small little diamond and tearing it apart," said Eileen Turnipseed of Draper, whose son plays baseball at Workman.

Turnipseed and other parents last month had some 170 people, mostly nonresidents, sign a petition opposing the UTA-city deal and supporting keeping the park. She said city leaders just "blew us off" because they are not South Salt Lake residents. Still, she said they often take their families to eat in the area and buy from local businesses, contributing to the city's tax base.

"It seems like a shame they're paving this over," Turnipseed said.

South Salt Lake Mayor Bob Gray said, "I really can't comment on that right now because it's in negotiations."

Workman Park --

bought in the 1960s and named after a firefighter who was killed in the line of duty -- has "never been a community part that the citizens have been able to use," Carlson said.

The city and UTA have discussed the possible purchase for a few years. It would also include the city's vacant fire station on an acre of land sitting near the park along 900 West, Carlson said.

Nothing has been presented to the City Council, which must approve the deal, he said. He expects a public hearing on the issue and a council presentation to be scheduled by next month.

"All we can do is talk about it," Carlson said late last week.

Carlson said the deal could coincide with the city's opportunity to buy a nine-acre "superior park property in the heart of the residential area." He declined to give further details.

Troy Bennett, the city's recreation supervisor, said the park has been "gaining in popularity" during the past few years. This year, he said the city will make roughly $1,400 from renters, who are mostly not residents.

UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said South Salt Lake officials approached UTA about buying the park because it's next to the new Jordan River Service Center, formerly a mall warehouse located at 2300 South and 900 West.

UTA bought 24 acres of land in 2007, including the warehouse, and opened the service center for the West Valley TRAX Line about last year, he said.

Carpenter said UTA doesn't "need that property," but it could be used if the service center is expanded in the future.

"We want to support the city in their plans for their community," Carpenter said.

jsanchez@sltrib.com