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LEISURE SERVICES 25TH ANNIVERSARY
For 25 years, the Leisure Services Department has provided programs, facilities, parks and trails for residents of and visitors to the St. George area. On September 1, the department will celebrate its quarter century anniversary, and is inviting residents to join in a year of leisure fun, fitness, and activities
For 25 years, the Leisure Services Department has provided programs, facilities, parks and trails for residents of and visitors to the St. George area. On September 1, the department will celebrate its quarter century anniversary, and is inviting residents to join in a year of leisure fun, fitness, and activities
“The department was created in September, 1982 by pulling together the parks, recreation and cultural arts departments which included the outdoor pool, Red Hills Golf Course, the Arts Center, four parks and a cemetery,” said Perkins.
“We had 14 full-time employees to maintain those facilities and run recreation programs, the marathon, 4th of July and the art festival. There are now over 30 parks with six new ones to be completed by this time next year. We have grown along with the community and have experienced extraordinary support from and for our residents.”
“As I think about the past,” said Perkins, “I have identified eight milestones that stand out in the growth and maturing of the department.”
“The first milestone relates to the early master-planning efforts in the 1980's. Local landscape architect, Ira Hodges, had a major role in sharing his dreams for our then small community. We created long-range master plans for parks, trails, beautification, and critical open space. These plans were tied together into a Critical Areas Plan that was presented to city council. During this time, the Shade Tree and Beautification Ordinance was adopted and a board was created. The Hillside Ordinance and Advisory Board were an outgrowth of the Critical Areas Plan.”
“The second milestone was the annexation of Bloomington and Bloomington Hills and the assumption of responsibility for Bloomington Park, Bloomington Hills Park, the Bloomington Hills Golf Course (St. George Golf Club) and several beautification areas. Additional parks were soon added, including Bloomington Hills Long Park, Petroglyph Park and the reconstruction of the Bloomington Hills Park.”
“The third milestone was associated with the breaking of the Quail Creek Dam and the flood. The city obtained a grant from FEMA which was used to build the Virgin River Parkway from Man-O-War Drive to Hilton Drive. This represented the first three miles of the present 31-mile trail system.”
“The fourth milestone was the master planning done in the 1990's, including a community survey conducted by UNLV. The survey pointed out the community’s desire for more trails, open space preservation and additional recreation facilities. The first full Parks Master Plan was completed in 1994 and included goals and recommended standards for park development. This planning process led to the creation of a parks and recreation facility study committee consisting of residents appointed by the mayor and city council. This “Quality of Life” committee conducted public input sessions and studied the parks and recreation needs of this growing committee. In 1995 they recommended to the city council that 25 million dollars be spent on new parks and recreation facilities in St. George. This recommendation was supported and taken to the voters in the form of a bond election in 1996 - nearly 70% of the residents voted in favor of the bond.”
“The fifth milestone was the design and construction of over 18 million dollars in outstanding facilities. Those facilities included over 30 miles of paved trails, seven softball fields at the Canyon’s Complex, Sand Hollow Aquatic Center, Tonaquint Tennis Facility, the Recreation Center, several neighborhood parks, a skateboard park, improved the running tracks and lit the softball/baseball fields and tennis courts at each high school. The 18 million dollars available for facility development was enhanced by land donations and obtaining matching grants for seven phases of the trails and one neighborhood park.”
“The sixth milestone was the development of arts programs and facilities and the restoration of historic properties. The first arts coordinator was hired in the early 1990's through a state grant program. At that time Community Arts was primarily classes and camps. In 1989 the city council approved the creation of the art museum located in the lower level of city hall. In 1997, the museum was moved to the new art museum at the Pioneer Center for the Arts. Mayor Karl Brooks and the city council purchased the land and buildings of the old beet seed factory on North Main Street. The buildings included three warehouses and the original Opera House. One warehouse was torn down to provide room for a plaza. With the help of several grants and outstanding community support and donations, the Opera House was restored and opened in 1996. The Art Museum was created by renovating the largest warehouse, and the remaining warehouse was renovated to create the Social Hall. The Social Hall was enhanced by the donation of a soda fountain from the Dixie Drugstore by the Watson Family. The Pioneer Center for the Arts complex was finalized with the addition of an original adobe home that was moved from Sand Town and rebuilt on site.
“The Community Arts and Exhibits Division was created in 2002. In addition to facilities and programs and the Pioneer Center, the division operates the St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site at Johnson Farm and St. George Community Building. The division also produces the St. George Art Festival, First Night, and the Concert in the Park series.
“An additional historic facility being restored by the city is the St. George Arts Center, the original home of Dixie College and Dixie High School.”
“The seventh milestone relates to golf in St. George. The city has operated the Dixie Red Hills Golf Course since 1967. In 1983, following the annexation of Bloomington and Bloomington Hills, the city took ownership of the Bloomington Hills Golf Course.
“The eighth milestone is the national recognition given to the department programs and facilities. The Canyon’s Complex has hosted national and regional softball events, attracting teams from around the world. The complex was awarded the National Softball Association Complex of the Year eight years in a row.
“The St. George Marathon, now in its 31st year, annually hosts over 10,000 runners and visitors. In 1988, the marathon hosted the National Masters Championships. Soon after, a number of articles were written by Runner’s World Magazine, extolling the virtues of the St. George marathon. The popularity of the race was enhanced nationally and internationally by this publicity. The race was selected as one of the “Cream of the Crop” marathons in the US, one of the “Top Ten Scenic Races,” in the US, one of the “Four Best Marathons in the World to Build a Vacation Around,” and the “Fastest Fall Marathon” in the US. The number of runners has increased to a point where a yearly cap is set and a lottery in conducted. Over 2000 runners are, unfortunately, turned away each year. This year the marathon accepted 6900 runners.”
“A marathon milestone took place in 1989 when a sister race relationship was created with the Ibigawa Marathon in Japan. A delegation of runners and officials from each marathon is hosted by its sister city every year.”
“In 2002, the city and county decided to jointly operate the Dixie Center at St. George. The Leisure Services Department has the responsibility for the operation side of the facility while the county does the marketing and sales. This 180,000+ square foot convention facility hosts thousands of visitors and attendees who spend millions of dollars each year in our community. The Dixie Center hosts local, state, regional and national events.”
“The ninth milestone is the new planning and enhancement efforts of the department. The city council adopted the new 10-year Parks, Recreation, Arts and Trails Master Plan in the spring of this year. This plan was formulated through the efforts of a committee of residents, public input, city council and mayoral support of city and staff. Standards and long-range goals were established to meet the needs of this growing community. In 2005, the Park Planning Division was created to design and build parks, trails, recreation facilities and landscape areas. Using impact fees and grant monies, the planning staff are currently developing 47 projects.”
“A major emphasis on downtown St. George will bring to the community a new town square, a water walk, improvements to the Pioneer Center for the Arts, a neighborhood park (Brooks Canyon/Cox Pond), public art pieces (primarily bronzes) and a vast number of landscape improvements. One of the highlights of the last two years has been the creation of the horticultural program and emphasis on flowers in city landscapes. We are excited to make the city gardens a year-round drawing card for the downtown area.
“We look forward to the next 25 years,” said Perkins.
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