Monticello city to celebrate reopening of park

by David Boyle
News Director
The city of Monticello is celebrating the reopening of Veterans Park with an event on May 22 including dinner, a grand opening ceremony and pinewood derby racing.
The grand opening reflects three years of work to replace the old playground equipment with new equipment that is accessible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Monticello Assistant City Manager Megan Gallegos noted the project priced at about $250,000 took about three years of work.
“It took some time to secure some funding of $70,000 from the San Juan Clean Energy Foundation which was great and that was able to be used as a cash match for a Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant and that's the route that we went to get this. We acquired that grant in May of last year, ordered the equipment and then it took a hot minute to find somebody willing to do concrete. So, thank you Peaceful Valley Builders for doing the concrete for our park and Big T Recreation for installing it and now we've just got some site mitigation and we'll be ready to rock and roll this Friday.”
Gallegos shared the new park is ADA accessible with a wood mulch surfacing on the bottom with multiple musical elements and swings.
The project also moved the location of the equipment to the south whereas the previous location was under a pine tree which would sometimes drop needles onto the playground.
The Friday event includes a hot dog dinner starting at 5:30 as well as registration of pinewood derby cars.
The grand opening of the new ADA accessible park is slated for 6:00 as well as the unveiling of new Parent Empowerment signage.
Pinewood derby races will follow after, with some yard games set up as well.
The city handed out pinewood derby kits at the elementary school.
Additional kits and car weights are still available at the city offices.
Several volunteers have worked to prepare the track and other aspects of the event.
Pinewood derby cars cannot weigh more than five ounces.
Participants can check the weight of their cars on the official scale located at the Monticello city offices.
Additional kits and weights can also be picked up at city offices.
City employee Jazzy Nielson added encouragment for residents to come enjoy the event.
“It is a family event and that’s what we’re encouraging is families come out and being together because that’s important in our community.”
The city event includes sponsorship from Utah Parents Empowered, Blue Mountain Meats and the San Juan County Prevention Action Coalition (SJCPAC).