ST. GEORGE — The future of a beloved community park in Springdale is under examination, as potential changes may be coming.

Springdale Town Council members are encouraging residents to weigh in on possible changes to the George A. Barker River Park at 1751 Zion Park Boulevard.

Officials recently sent out a survey and posted it on the town’s website. There will be an Open House on Tuesday, Oct. 26, at the Springdale Community Center. The design firm will have a few options of elements that could be added to the park.

“The residents — they love the park. It’s just a great place. I go there twice a day. My dog likes to take me for a walk,” town councilman Jack Burns told St. George News. “It’s a great opportunity to meet people who live in the community you normally may not run into. I frequently engage in conversation with community members that I normally wouldn’t.”

Burns said the purchase of just under an acre of adjacent land and the need for a smoother parking experience is triggering the consideration of changes to the park. The park borders the Virgin River to the east before the Chevron station heading toward Zion National Park. Some of the park on the west side is along Zion Park Boulevard. The park, including the expansion, encompasses 3 acres.

The additional land was purchased for about $600,000 and is located between the park and a group of townhomes. The land was paid through existing park impact fees collected over the years.

Director of Parks and Recreation for Springdale Ryan Gubler agreed the park is a very special place for residents.

“It’s a way for them to find a place of peace and solitude when dealing with the hustle and bustle of living in a tourist town like Springdale,” Gubler told St. George News. “It allows them to get away and get close to the river and get close to nature.”

Burns said after all of the public input is compiled, it will be analyzed and summarized by the consulting firm, Assist, the town is working with.

In earlier held public forums, Burns said residents along with the Town Council, staff and planning commissioners shared their ideas on how to improve the park.

“It was a great workshop and Assist had different types of park development examples, some that they’ve been involved in and then other examples that had a real wide range of keeping areas more natural to a more urban setting,” Burns said.

Some park amenities could include signage, benches, walking paths and tables. Burns said the community will have a chance to weigh in on those things at the Open House and in the survey.

Burns said the necessary improvements to discuss are improving parking flow at the park and updating the restrooms.

Gubler added that town officials value the input of residents. He said it makes them more efficient when the community engages in the process of improving the park. He said he hopes people will come and ask any questions they may have at the Open House.

“Quite frankly, the residents have got some really great ideas,” Gubler said. “They’re the ones that spend time in the park and it’s their park, and so for us to be able to tap into that resource is really valuable for us.”

There is one other park in town located next to the community center. That small park has a gazebo, picnic tables and barbecue grills near the pickleball court area.

Comments concerning the George A. Barker River Park also may be sent by email at this link.

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