Salt Lake City loves its parks. The voters approve the bonds every time they are asked. We are told they will use the money to build these user-friendly beautiful parks.
But what they build is not being used. Why? Because they don’t put in benches. The city just celebrated two new playgrounds without benches. Now who on earth is going to stand there while their kids play on the equipment? I bring this up to the city in every way I can. I am told eventually they will put some in. I said, why not now?
The response is always a nonspecific future time. Why? If the money was allotted for a complete park, why is it not completed? The city has so many projects funded and not completed.
They stated we just wanted to give them something. Yeah, something people can’t use. If you notice even the older parks are missing places to sit under the trees.
As far as unwanted people laying down and sleeping on them. The city has very well paid Park Rangers who can address issues. But people don’t sleep on the few benches that are there.
Parks without benches are only usable for a select few. Not everyone. But we all pay for them. Liberty Park is a $5 million, two year project. Are benches in the mix? How about the new Glendale?
Margaret Holloway, Salt Lake City
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