Parks and Trails Bond Support

There has been an swell of support for the West Valley City Parks and Trails Proposition. Recreationalists, athletes, and even everyday residents that want to reinvest in our community have begun to organize and tell their neighbors about the benefits of approving the bond this November. Earlier this week the Granite School District Board of Education officially endorsed the proposal by unanimously passing a resolution. A press release including the contents of the resolution, which outlines deserving and various reasons behind the formal support, are below:


**NEWS RELEASE**

Tonight, the Granite School District Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution of support for West Valley City’s parks and trails bond, a $25 million proposal on the November ballot which would increase taxes $2 a month for an average home, but which would rebuild Granger Park, build 17 new parks, and complete 27 miles of trails. The resolution read:

Whereas, 25% of children in Utah are overweight, and the availability of parks and trails has been shown to reduce obesity rates; and

Whereas, more safe routes to school are needed for children who are walking to school to be kept away from busy roads; and

Whereas, we appreciate West Valley City’s partnership in allowing the new Granger High School to be built on the former Granger Park, and desire to be a good community partner in helping them replace this park; and

Whereas, it is in the financial best interest of the school district to maintain property values, and studies show that neighborhoods adjacent to parks and trails increase value; and

Whereas, we appreciate first hand the benefit of historically low interest rates and construction costs, and recognize the wisdom in acting now to expand trails and parks in West Valley City;

Therefore, be it resolved, that the Granite School Board of Education officially supports West Valley City’s General Obligation bond that is being considered on this November’s ballot, and we encourage families, employees, PTAs, and others in our community to support this bond and vote “YES” for more parks and trails for West Valley City.

Board member Julene Jolley said, “It makes perfect sense for educators to support this bond, because we care about having safe places for kids to play, safe places for them to walk to school, and in reinvesting in West Valley neighborhoods to strengthen property values.”

The Granite School District joins other community groups in encouraging “Yes on Prop 3”, including the Utah Transit Authority, which sees the proposed projects as increasing connectivity to transit and in encouraging more people to bike to work.