July 10, 2024

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Salt Lake City Public Lands is excited to share the final concept for Liberty Park’s new “big” playground. View the design online or join the project team at the Special Olympics Utah Inclusion Festival at Liberty Park from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, to see the concept in person.

Built as an all-ages and abilities park that reflected the legacy of the 2002 Paralympic Winter Games hosted in Utah, Liberty Park’s Rotary Play Park is well-loved and well-worn. Using funding from the Salt Lake City voter-approved Reimagine Neighborhood Parks General Obligation bond, the aging playground will be replaced with a new playground that can serve the community for years to come.

“Public input has really driven this process,” said SLC’s Public Lands planner Ronnie Pesetto. “We’ve been talking to playground visitors, area residents, Community Councils in person, and the public through surveys in 2023 and 2024 to identify what people want to see here. I think this design provides everything you could ask for.”

In keeping with the playpark’s history as a place for all ages and abilities, the new design includes elements supporting individuals living with disabilities. The goal is to make natural and adventurous play experiences available to all users.

“The playground is designed to provide a broad range of learning and play needs and support families, groups, and caregivers, whether arriving from around the corner or visiting from out-of-state,” Pesetto said.  

This includes expanded physical accessibility, accommodations for support devices and disabilities, considerations for a broad range of sensory, nervous system, and motor needs, and dedicated learning elements to educate, encourage collaborative play, and celebrate what makes every playground user unique. 

Liberty Park’s “big” playground is a regional destination for families. Well-loved activities, like the swings, splash pad, and climbing structures, will be upgraded, and new features will be added, including an accessible spin carousel, zip line, wheel-up play features, more climbing options, a fenced toddler area, and more shaded seating for visitors and caregivers.

The design will be finalized this year, with the goal of construction in 2025 and a new playground re-opening in spring 2026.

Find more information on the project’s website.