Ogden City looking to purchase Taylor Canyon Elementary School
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- The Taylor Canyon Elementary building in Ogden is photographed Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022.
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- Ogden resident Jarrad Kippen plays with his dog Ollie on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at the former Taylor Canyon Elementary School site, which has been declared surplus by the Ogden School District.
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- The Taylor Canyon Elementary building in Ogden is photographed Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022.
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- The area where Taylor Canyon Elementary in Ogden, torn down in 2022, once sat, photographed Friday, June 16, 2023. Grass sod is being placed where the building once stood.
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- The Taylor Canyon Elementary building in Ogden is photographed Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022.
Residents who live near Taylor Canyon Elementary School got some good news Tuesday afternoon.
Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski announced the administration’s intent to pursue purchasing the property — which was declared as surplus by Ogden School District in September — with the goal of “preserving it for open space and park use.”
“This opportunity at Taylor Canyon reflects what we’re striving to achieve citywide by expanding access to parks, recreation, and open spaces that bring people together,” Nadolski said in the press release. “Our intent is to preserve this site primarily for open space, and we’ll take time to listen and explore community-driven ideas for how the property can help serve and strengthen the neighborhood, promote healthy lifestyles, and bring neighbors together.”
That was what residents hoped for, according to a September report by the News Reporting and Writing class at Weber State University.
“We ask you to recognize the immeasurable value of this green space to our community’s well-being,” said Elsa Bowman, one of the neighbors, while addressing the council in a meeting on Sept. 2.
Noting she was a mother of two and an Ogden native, she asked, “I beg you to buy back our park and to keep Ogden green. To lose it would be a massive hit to our community.”
The city plans to take the next step toward making that goal a reality, although there are still other steps in the process.
The next one will be at the City Council meeting on Dec. 2 when they will vote on the resolution.
Here is the complete press release on the plans for the former elementary school from Ogden City:
“Ogden City Mayor Ben Nadolski has recommended that the Ogden City Council adopt a resolution to declare the City’s intent to pursue the purchase of the former Taylor Canyon Elementary School property from the Ogden School District. The 4.23-acre site, located at 2130 Taylor Avenue, was declared surplus by the District on September 2, 2025.
“The Mayor’s administration proposes to continue taking steps toward acquisition of the property, with the primary goal of preserving it for open space and park use. This proposal represents one of several ongoing efforts by the Nadolski Administration to expand access to parks, trails, recreation and open space across all neighborhoods and strengthen connections between residents and their environment.
“‘This opportunity at Taylor Canyon reflects what we’re striving to achieve citywide by expanding access to parks, recreation, and open spaces that bring people together,’ said Mayor Nadolski. ‘Our intent is to preserve this site primarily for open space, and we’ll take time to listen and explore community-driven ideas for how the property can help serve and strengthen the neighborhood, promote healthy lifestyles, and bring neighbors together.’
“City Council Resolution
“‘The Ogden City Council will consider the proposal and vote on a resolution in an upcoming meeting on December 2nd.’
“A Collaborative, Deliberate Process
“Mayor Nadolski emphasized that while the statutory timeline for the purchase process allows 90 days, the City and the Ogden School District are taking a flexible and cooperative approach to ensure the process moves forward thoughtfully.
“‘I have been working closely with Superintendent Luke Rasmussen, and together we have reaffirmed our strong partnership on this proposal,’ said Nadolski. ‘The timelines outlined in state statute are minimums, not deadlines. We’re both comfortable working collaboratively to align our needs and timelines so this process unfolds in a way that supports the community and the City’s broader budget planning.’
“The City intends to link its planning for this acquisition with the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026 budget process, which will be presented in March or April and take effect no earlier than July 1, 2026. This approach helps ensure transparency, careful financial planning, and opportunities for continued public engagement.
“Community Input and Future Planning
“The Mayor noted that Ogden City has already met with neighborhood leaders and will continue conversations as planning advances. Future use decisions will be guided by community input and public engagement, with an emphasis on maintaining public benefit and open space as the central purpose of the site.
“‘We know trust is built through transparency and collaboration,’ said Nadolski. ‘Residents can expect a thoughtful process where their voices help shape the outcomes that best meet their needs.’
“A Citywide Commitment to Parks and Open Space
“Over the past five years, Ogden City has invested more than $7.5 million in 59 park and recreation projects, advancing the administration’s citywide strategy to expand high-quality open space and recreational opportunities for residents. The Taylor Canyon proposal continues this momentum and reflects The Ogden Way pillars, fostering healthy lifestyles, stable neighborhoods, and meaningful connections.”
Contributing to this story was a collaboration of the students in the News Reporting and Writing class at Weber State University: McKinna Baird, Erin Drollette, Grayson Freestone, Sofia Fuenmayor, James Gordon, Tenaya Hyde-Harrison, Haven di Atene Miller, Jared Mitchell, Elmer Peña and Mia Salgado.
