Goosenest Park

Parks & Trails Committee Design Lead | Elk Ridge City | Jan - Jun 2024

Elk Ridge acquired 8 acres in town center with $3 million in development fees that needed quick allocation or return to developers. Our existing city offices were inadequate, gathering spaces couldn't serve our growing population, and residents consistently requested foothills access for hiking and biking.

Goal: Create a park concept with overwhelming community support that could be built in phases within budget and serve diverse needs year-round.

My Approach

Our 9-person committee split into three teams: Community, Nature, and Sports. I led Nature, designing wildlife sculptures, natural water feature with splash pad, ice skating ribbon (tree-lined curves, not a rink), bike skills park, and sledding hill.

I refined all three team concepts into polished digital presentations using Procreate, adding color, labels, and scale indicators. Measurements revealed that 8 acres is smaller than it sounds—sports fields are massive and topography strictly dictates placement.

We presented concepts at our summer celebration and polled residents (100 votes) then sent a broader survey reaching 890 residents—30% of our adult population. To validate the ice ribbon, I visited three Utah cities with recent installations, learning about operational costs and how they become regional destinations.

What Went Wrong

Pickleball enthusiasts were upset their courts wouldn't be included—by far the most requested sports feature.

Rather than compromise the Nature vision, we proposed adding courts to an existing park two blocks away. This turned critics into supporters, but revealed a gap in my process—I should have proactively addressed predictable opposition earlier.

The Results

Nature won decisively: 72% of votes (Sports 15%, Community 13%). The city council unanimously approved my recommendation.

Why it resonated: It honored why people chose Elk Ridge—connection to nature and quiet living. Top features were climbing trees, natural water feature, bike paths, and gathering spaces for events.

"This park understands what makes Elk Ridge special. It's not trying to be like everywhere else."

Survey participation jumped from 100 to 890 responses. City council meeting attendance grew. The mayor asked me to join the Planning Commission. Construction begins Spring 2026 with Phase 1 estimated at one year completion.

Key Learnings

What changed my practice:

I now conduct field research on innovative features before committing to them in designs. The ice ribbon site visits transformed it from uncertain concept to validated feature with proven benefits. I proactively address predictable opposition with creative solutions rather than waiting for conflicts. I design complete visions for cohesion, then phase strategically based on budget.

Bottom Line

Constraints breed creativity. The topography that seemed limiting became our greatest asset—natural slope for sledding and amphitheater, steep terrain for strategic trail placement.

Whether designing digital interfaces or community spaces, embracing constraints leads to stronger, more contextually appropriate solutions. This project proved UX principles transcend medium and that getting community buy-in right is just as important as getting the design right.