First of all we are limited on parks already. My dad coaches my younger brother’s soccer team and we are always searching for new park locations for practice. This is because the parks are too crowded and it is hard to find available space. We have now started practicing in South Ogden because of how crowded they have become.

Secondly, I focus on Ogden’s growth rate. Per year the average growth rate is around 10,000 people. Not to mention that many of the people moving here are coming for the amazing outdoor lifestyle in Ogden. If these properties are developed there will be potentially hundreds more people trying to share space at the local parks. The more people at the parks, the more crowded they will be, causing more pollution and damage. This would also increase the cost of maintenance. If we sell these sites there will be limited time for them to be used. If we keep them they can be used for many future generations.

Finally, keeping these sites can be beneficial to public health. The trees in public parks remove 7,111,000 tons of toxins in the air. Green space can also help keep Ogden city cool reducing the heat-island effect and filtering rain which reduces water pollution and protects our drinking water. City parks also may increase physical activity levels. By doing this we may prevent many mental and physical health problems.

As you can see, keeping the three sites would benefit the community immensely. Thank you for reading my request and publishing it in your newspaper so the people of Ogden community may take action.

Ella Stewart

Ogden