Critics Still Want New Park Management at This Is the Place

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Managers of This Is the Place Park have dropped a controversial plan to lease land for an office building, but they aren't off the hook. Disgruntled residents and former park employees expressed frustration at the direction officials are taking with the historic site:

"Paved roads and a mini-train are not at all congruent with the historic mission statement of the park," says Cameron Carpenter, a member of the East Bench Community Council. "Lagoon has a mini train, the zoo across the street has a mini-train. And if people want a train ride they can go to those facilities."

Carpenter and 1,300 other residents have signed a petition calling for the state to disband the private foundation that runs This Is the Place Park. They want the park managed by history experts who will make it resemble Colonial Williamsburg rather than an amusement park.

"Letting the current board and management run This Is the Place is like letting someone build a housing development without architects, electricians or plumbers," says former park volunteer Christine Graham. "The park tends to choose pricey, 21st century solutions when 19th century solutions would be much less expensive, far more appropriate and satisfying to visitors."

Park officials say they have aggressive plans to promote the park, hoping to triple attendance in the coming year and hire a part-time curator from the LDS church to assist with historic accuracy.

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