Ribbon cutting, dedication of Royal Oaks Park, extension of trails

Written by Holly Coombs
December 12, 2014
City of St. George Mayor Jon Pike cuts the ribbon alongside other city leaders at the phase two dedication of the Royal Oaks Park, St. George, Utah, Dec. 11, 2014 | Photo by Holly Coombs, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — The second of three phases to a neighborhood park was made complete with a dedicatory prayer and ribbon cutting supported by St. George city leaders Thursday afternoon.

The Royal Oaks Park, located at 1250 N. 1400 West, has received an extension of trails that are accessible by bike, horse or foot. A restroom facility, a pavilion, bench swings and more were also completed in the project, Millie Cockerill, project manager, said. This phase of the project also included grooming and preserving the natural look of the area, Cockerill said. (See ed. note)

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Videocast by Melissa Anderson and Holly Coombs, KCSG and St. George News

The Park

The newly extended trails have connected to the city’s whole trail system, which makes an approximation of 45 miles total throughout the St. George area, Kent Perkins, City of St. George Leisure Services director, said.

Some trails included in the park are the connections of the Halfway Wash Trail to the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve via Paradise Rim Trail.

The park, funded by park impact fees, has become one of about 42 total parks within the city, Perkins said. A master plan created by city leaders states that a neighborhood park should be within a half-mile of a residence and a community park, which includes sports fields, should be present within every one-mile of a residence, he said.

“We want our residents to be able to feel like the neighborhood parks are a natural extension of their backyard,” Perkins said. “That’s why we have these trails which eventually lead you to a bigger park or a complex.”

At Royal Oaks Park, the restroom facilities, additional shade trees, and smaller picnic pads for families were added to the other amenities that were already present, which include a children’s playground with swings, a lighted half-basketball court, and several grassy areas.

Cockerill said continual maintenance of the natural growth in the area will be conducted throughout the year. This will be the main component of the third phase of the park, continually improving the nature of the park, Perkins said.

Gratitude

“We think it’s important and we really appreciate the fact that the council feels it’s important to be able to dedicate these facilities,” Perkins said of the council’s support of the project.

Rev. Alex Wilkie of the St. George Community Church, gave the  dedication prayer at the 4 p.m. ceremony Thursday. Wilkie expressed gratitude within the prayers to the leaders who put the park together.

“For the planning and extension of this park, we all want to say a big thank you to the parks and recreation director,” he said within the prayer. “So as we stand amid the many trees at a beautiful location, each one of us can give a big thanks to all who made this park a place for all to enjoy.”

City of St. George Mayor Jon Pike said the park will be a great place for families to enjoy their surroundings and he expressed appreciation to all involved in the project and for their views of keeping the park in a more natural state.

The park design team included the City of St. George Park Planning Division, Rosenberg Associates, and Studio 8 Architects. The construction team included Progressive Contracting, Inc., B Hansen Construction, Hansen Landscape, MS Concrete, Tri-State Electric, and Western Rock.

Ed. note: Correct address is 1250 N. 1400 West.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Holly is a 2013 graduate from Southern Utah University, where she received her bachelor's degree in communication with an emphasis in journalism and broadcasting. She thrives off meeting and associating with people from any background and culture and learning their stories. Holly is a country girl and enjoys the outdoors, but most of all she loves spending time with friends and family.

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4 Comments

  • me December 12, 2014 at 6:13 pm

    Is this a correct address? 1250 N. 1400 E.

    • Avatar photo Cami Cox Jim December 12, 2014 at 6:40 pm

      The correct address is 1250 N. 1400 West. Thank you for pointing that out — I will make that correction in the story.

  • Soaponarope December 12, 2014 at 10:22 pm

    Well nothing like making more places. for druggies and their dealers to hang out at

  • Betty December 13, 2014 at 1:04 am

    Too bad they didn’t extend an invitation to those of us who had to endure all the noise and early morning havoc during construction.

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