Highland family donates $500K for all-abilities playground

HIGHLAND — A family in Highland donated $500,000 to the Highland City Foundation to build an all-abilities playground at Mountain Ridge Park.

Paul and Rachel Adams are Highland residents who have roots in American Fork and Sacramento, California. The couple presented their half-million-dollar donation during a City Council meeting Tuesday night.

“We’re just so happy,” Rachel Adams said during the donation presentation. She said although it’s been a big process to get this approved and figured out, she is grateful for the opportunity. “We love Highland and we love families.”

Paul Adams emphasized the importance of investing in your city. With investments you can win or lose, but when you invest in a city like Highland, he said, you win every time.

He hopes the contribution will inspire other philanthropic efforts from families in the community.

The all-abilities playground is estimated to open in spring 2023 and will be built on the northwest corner of the park located at 5600 West and 104000 North.

A Highland City Council subcommittee is designing the 30,000-square-foot playground with playground equipment supplier Sonntag Recreation. This playground design is meant facilitate safe and inclusive play for children of all ages and abilities.

Highland Mayor Kurt Ostler became emotional during the presentation of the donation and said it is so kind and generous of the Adams family.

“Countless members of our community have been working hard to make Mountain Ridge Park a beautiful park that will benefit those in and out of our community. On behalf of Highland city, we want to thank Paul and Rachel Adams for their incredibly thoughtful donation,” Ostler said.

The Adams’ family donation was inspired by their seven kids and the fond memories the family made at community parks. The contribution is their way of extending their love for family to the entire community, a press release said.

“It’s a full-circle moment to see Highland families, like Paul and Rachel Adams’ family, step forward to show their love for their community by giving back. They are providing a way for Highland city to become a happier, healthier and more enjoyable place to live,” Ostler said.

Paul Adams is an entrepreneur who has founded and sold several companies in Utah. He attributes his success to his wife, who he describes as his life partner and business partner. She has earned multiple certificates in marriage, family, and human relations, and served as a part-time seminary teacher, on the PTA, and as president of a high school booster club.

The couple’s latest economic venture is a charity named Athleap that helps pay for sports for underprivileged high school athletes.

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