Willard - When Willard City and Bear River Association of governments began planning a park on Willard Creek a year ago, it was unsure where the money would come from. Little did they know then, that the fuel spill would result in settlement funds for the park to be located behind the spillway on Willard Creek and Highway 89.
Bryce Wheelwright of the Willard Planning and Zoning Department says: “we’re excited” about the prospects for the new park, which for now is being called “the dike project.” Further details and a timeline need to be submitted to the State before the money will come to Willard. A letter came from the State to Willard in early June indicating that the $900,000 would become available and giving Willard 90 days to respond.
Wheelwright says the general concept is a picnic area where 100 East comes to the Dike area. There will be picnic tables and grass with maybe a pavilion. There will also be a pond, a trail around the pond, and a nature area and trails on the more than 20 acres of City property there that extends to near the mouth of Willard Canyon. The City property ends where the gravel road to the gravel pit crosses the creek. If conditions are suitable, the pond will be stocked with fish. Also, the City plans to redo the rock face of the spillway and dike on the west side facing Highway 89 to look nice and probably spell out ‘Willard’ in rock letters.
Willard City will probably hold a public hearing to receive citizen input and ideas for the park plan.
