More changes coming to Salt Lake City’s oldest park

SALT LAKE CITY — Rotary Play Park is about to receive a much-anticipated facelift, as more upgrades come to Liberty Park in Salt Lake City.

The all-ages and all-abilities playground area within the park will close on Tuesday as crews begin a $5 million project to revamp the area that was created in honor of the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games.

It’s expected to remain closed for most of the next year, while crews install several new amenities. These include new swings and slides, a climbing tower, natural play areas, shaded seating and picnic areas, a group pendulum swing and wheelchair accessible spin carousel, among other things. It’ll also have adaptive interpretive features for people with vision, hearing and communication disabilities.

The features and new play area design were pieced together after the city collected feedback from over 1,700 residents from across the city and the surrounding area over the past few years, according to the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands.

“This project is about investing in a play space that welcomes every child and family,” said Kim Shelley, the department’s director, in a statement. “This new design is a direct reflection of what we heard from residents. They asked for more nature, more shade, more adventure and a place where all kids feel seen and included. We’re proud to deliver that.”

Funding for the project comes from two key sources. City officials drew $2 million from the $85 million general obligation bond for park improvements that residents approved in 2022 to cover part of the cost, while the rest comes from impact fees — fees collected from new developments that are allocated for public benefits, such as parks.

Families who typically bring their children to the play area are encouraged to use other playgrounds in the area until the project wraps up, which is expected to be in the summer of 2026. These include the Rice Pavilion Playground at the northeast corner of the park, at 600 E. 900 South, and Herman Franks Park, 1371 S. 700 East, which is directly southeast of Liberty Park.

The project adds to the construction taking place at the popular 80-acre, 143-year-old city park.

A large area between the Rotary Play Park and Liberty Park Pond is currently fenced off while crews work to transform the old Seven Canyons Fountain — built in 1993 as a fountain celebrating the county’s creeks — into a “dry art feature.” The city announced the new plan for the fountain in 2023, six years after it shut the water off to it amid maintenance issues and public health concerns raised by the county.

That project is still on track to be completed by mid-October, according to the city. For those seeking a water feature north of the pond, the updated Rotary Play Park will include a new splash zone.