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This year marks Summit Land Conservancy’s 20th Anniversary as Park City’s local land trust–- 20 years of saving the landscapes that are the heart of our community. The first 20 years of forever…
To honor the places we have protected, we will highlight and share some of the stories about these precious lands and how the Conservancy has grown over the years.
The Library Field open space offers aesthetic, recreational, and historic values in the heart of the the Old Town community. It is highly visible from the library building, adjacent neighborhoods, and higher elevations around town. The 2 acre property provides a natural buffer space in an area that was likely to be further developed. Library Field is a perfect place for picnics, sledding, and off-leash play time with canine companions. It is a gathering place for neighborhood residents, visitors, pre-schools, and other community groups. Known as the Carl Winters School Building built in 1928, and later restored in 1993, the structure has been recently renovated to maintain its public benefit as a library, theatre, and meeting space.
“The green field next to what is now the Park City Library and Education Center was once the football field for the Park City High School. A new high school had been built and the community was considering options for what to do with the old high school building. One idea was to convert the building and field to a hotel and convention center.
Residents in the 1990s, rallied by Leslie Miller, were clear that the old building should be repurposed for community benefit, and the small green field where neighbors gathered, kids went sledding, and dogs chased Frisbees should be kept as it was.
The City listened.
25 years later that green flat field next to the library was again in the crosshairs for another use. This time, the residents were led by Ed Parigian to convince the City’s Open Space Advisory Committee (COSAC) and the City Council to permanently protect this community green space. It wasn’t a tough decision, but there were lots of serious conversations about what alternatives would be given up.
Neighbors insisted on a permanent solution, so the Summit Land Conservancy worked with the City to craft a conservation easement that would allow the space to remain just as it is: an open field where neighbors still gather, kids still sled down the slope, and there’s always a local dog to two. When the easement was signed by Mayor Jack Thomas in November 2017, we had a hoedown square dance on the field.
Sing along with us: "Library Field Forever…"."
Learn more about the Conservancy’s work and how you can save the lands and waters you cherish at www.wesaveland.org.
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