Is Town Council Prioritizing Upgrade over Preservation?

Springdale is moving forward with a multi-million-dollar extravagant renovation of George A. Barker River Park, a project partially funded by grant dollars but still requiring over $1.3 million from town funds. The plans can be found here: <https://www.springdaletown.com/DocumentCenter/View/1892/2024-03-15_River-Park_Schematic-Package_FINALreduced-2?bidId=>\

Meanwhile, many residents believe the town’s resources should be directed elsewhere—specifically toward protecting the hillside above Bonner Dog Park, where many believe is the most valued recreational space.

The hillside trails were professionally designed — but the land isn’t protected

The trails above Bonner Dog Park are not unofficial paths; they were professionally designed and installed with permission from the Paiute Tribe, which owns the land. They have quickly become one of the most popular local recreation areas, especially for residents who rely on the off-leash dog park for everyday use. However, none of this land belongs to Springdale.

• The majority, including the lower hillside, is Paiute-owned land
• The upper hillside includes an approximately 15-acre privately owned parcel
• The town has no zoning control or conservation protections for any of this land

Either owner could fence, sell, or possibly develop the land at any time (the 15-acre parcel might have some hurdles) and Springdale would have no authority to stop it.

There’s also a larger issue most residents don’t realize: if the Paiute Tribe obtains reservation status on that property, they would not be required to follow Springdale’s building codes. Under federal law, they could build whatever they choose, maybe not a casino, but a 100-foot tall hotel is possible. That may not be their intention, but the possibility exists.

Residents question the priority: renovate the river park, while the hillside remains vulnerable?

Public feedback in recent years has consistently shown that most residents are satisfied with the current state of Barker Park. Some support modest upgrades, such as improved bathrooms or a walking path, but few have advocated for a full remodel. The scope and scale of the planned renovation has left many questioning why the town is investing heavily in a project the community did not broadly ask for.

By contrast, the hillside above Bonner Dog Park is widely viewed as one of the last easily accessible open-space recreation areas within town limits—and it exists only at the discretion of landowners.

A growing number of Springdale residents believe town resources would be better spent on:

• Securing permanent open-space protections
• Purchasing development rights
• Partnering with the Paiute Tribe on conservation agreements
• Negotiating similar protections with the private landowner

This could involve a combination of money and a meaningful historical tribute to the Paiute Tribe—ensuring their heritage is honored while preserving the hillside as open space.

The goal is simple: ensure that the space remains available for local, low-impact recreation, instead of losing it to future development.

Renovation changes aesthetics. Preservation protects land.

The Barker Park renovation will change the appearance and amenities on the River Park side. But does nothing to protect the recreational land.

Protecting the hillside, on the other hand, provides long-term public benefit and preserves the area many residents value most. Once developed, the space is gone permanently.

Is it a better investment to make Barker Park newer—or to make sure the open space behind it is never lost?

For many locals, the answer is clear: preserving the hillside is the real priority, and spending more than $1.3 million on a park renovation before securing the land people currently use is a costly mistake.