June 19, 2006
To: Mayor Matthew Godfrey
From: Smart Growth Ogden
Re: Allegations of misuse of the word "park" and alterations to maps
Smart Growth Ogden wants to take the opportunity to respond to specific allegations of mistakes on our part. It is our understanding that two primary concerns relate to the use of the term "park" to describe the public land which you wish to sell to Chris Peterson and to certain maps produced with data from Ogden City's GIS department.
With respect to our use of the term "park," the real issue is the asset of public land proposed for sale, not the name used to refer to that land. However, since our use of this word appears to be an ongoing concern to you, we want you to be aware that Smart Growth has used the word "park" because that is the term used in Ogden City's General Plan as the heading to include all the acres at the Mt. Ogden Park. The word park serves as the official planning-document designation for the city. The reference in Ogden's General Plan is as follows:
10. Parks and Recreation
C. Existing Conditions and Key Findings
1. Parks
Ogden City currently has 40 parks consisting of the following types:
TYPE ACRES
Pocket 2.60
Neighborhood 124.30
Community 74.65
Recreation 395.05
Urban open space 10
TOTAL 606.60
As we understand it, the proposed sale includes all of Mt. Ogden Park's 175 acres of "recreation" park (115 acres of golf course and 60 acres of open space and trails), which amounts to roughly 85% of the total Mt. Ogden Park land. It is only the "neighborhood" park land (23 acres) along Taylor Ave. that would remain intact. In his presentation at the Mt. Ogden Neighborhood meeting, Greg Montgomery stated that the City now has 856 acres of park land, not 606 as shown in the General Plan. The proposed sale of Mt. Ogden's recreation park land represents a loss of over 20% of Ogden's total public parks.
With respect to the map, we stand by the data presented on our web site and in our flyers. Smart Growth has responded to the map issue in great detail, and as that detail is essential for your understanding, we have attached it for your perusal.