In the heart of St. George, there’s a gathering space known as Vernon Worthen Park.
It’s a vast expanse of green that, for years, has served as home to countless community, family and other social functions.
Located on roughly 4 ½ acres, Vernon Worthen Park includes a gazebo, multiple picnic areas, lighted volleyball courts, lighted pickleball courts, children’s play area, futsal court and restroom facilities.
But Vernon Worthen Park is getting old. Which is why the city of St. George decided it was time for a facelift.
Vernon Worthen Park playground
As one of the oldest parks in the area, Vernon Worthen Park was due for an update. One of the main concerns for parents of small children was the proximity of the play structure to 400 East, or Flood Street. Over the years this has become a major thoroughfare, making it more dangerous for children playing on the nearby toys.
According to an article on StGeorgeNews.com, Jeff Peay, the parks planning manager for the city of St. George, says Vernon Worthen Park is “one of the most popular and busiest spaces and most programmed places in town.”
The only other space used to the same level is the Town Square, Peay says.
The new playground space opened a few weeks ago. Not surprisingly, it has been crowded, even on cooler, rainy days. Everyone seems to want to try out the new swings, climbing structure and mini zip line. Many of the new playground structures are accessible for children of all ability levels.
Other benefits
There are several benefits of moving the play structure to a new area of the park. Getting it further from the street is the most obvious. And now it is closer to the bathroom facilities. In addition, parking is more accessible as the play structure area shares a border with the parking lot, with a large covered picnic area serving as a buffer between the two.
The playground is slightly elevated above the remaining park acreage, giving a beautiful view of the rest of Vernon Worthen Park and its rolling green expanse.
Other Vernon Worthen Park amenities
Although possibly the most obvious change, the new playground equipment is not the only thing that is new at Vernon Worthen Park.
One of the challenges faced by park designers, and one of the elements pointed out by Peay in his proposal to the St. George City Council, is the lack of uniformity within Vernon Worthen Park structure.
One of the elements within Peay proposed is a trail wrapping around the park, leading to various parts of the park. For example, the Pearl Harbor Memorial (which was located by the gazebo) can be viewed from the park trail. The trail also makes the park easier for people to navigate. It leads to the restrooms, as well as other picnic areas.
During the proposal phase for Vernons Worthen Park facelift, St. George Mayor Jon Pike said he was in favor of the concept. As was St. George city manager Gary Esplin, noting that it would be a great way to continue rejuvenation efforts in the downtown area.
The finished product
The new Vernon Worthen park playground was dedicated on March 22. During his speech, St. George Mayor Pike reminded area citizens that this is “your park.”
Having it accessible to people of all ability levels is a big deal for the redesigned park. The St. George News article on the park dedication included an anecdote about one woman who had lived across from the park for 30 years, but had never been able to enjoy it. Until now.
Looking to the future
There are still a few projects to be completed at Vernon Worthen Park. Some of the future upgrades include adding lights to the walking path, additional restroom and picnic areas, as well as improving the current pickleball courts.
Now Vernon Worthen Park can continue being home to birthday parties, family reunions, Fourth of July celebrations, concerts, athletics and more.
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