(KCPW News) Last June, when more than 30,000 gallons of crude oil spilled into Red Butte Creek and Liberty Park pond during the Red Butte Oil spill, Marilee Latta, who has run the park concessions, rides and boat rentals for nearly three decades, says business was nearly non-existent. But this year, she expects that to change, as the city prepares a celebration to re-open the pond within a few weeks.
“It’s a huge, eight-foot fence that goes all the way around the lake and that is going to be down. So it will be open, it will be beautiful,” she says. “The lake looks great right now. They have done a great job. It has all been dug out; they have put in new cement in. There’s new rocks.”
Art Raymond, spokesman for Mayor Ralph Becker, says “Celebrate the City” is an annual event that takes place every spring at different locations around the city. And this year, the city wants to bring people back to Liberty Park.
“All the people who use the park have not been able to really have the full experience since this incident last year. And on this day where we celebrate how great Salt Lake City is we will also be celebrating the re-opening of Liberty Park,” says Raymond. “It will be full of water again; we’re hoping the ducks and geese will be back.”
Celebrate the City will take place on Saturday, May 14th.
How do you feel about this topic?
Is there anything else you think we should know? We'd like to hear your thoughts. Send us your feedback using the form below.
