Farmington Council Funds Assessment for Shade Canopy at Ricketts Park

Farmington officials voted unanimously to fund an on site assessment of proposed shade canopies at Ricketts Park during a Dec. 10 Farmington City Council meeting. Parks and Recreation Director Natalie Spruell requested $5,900 to allow a vendor to walk the park with city staff, conduct an environmental and safety review, and determine whether the city might support the project in the future.

The request grew out of concerns over summer temperatures during events such as the Connie Mack World Series, where spectators and players contend with minimal shade. Spruell told the council, "We are excited to connect with this vendor." She explained the assessment would inform a capital planning decision and potential grant applications, saying, "It would then be included in the capital list and could be put on a list for grant funding as well."

The vendor presented two conceptual design options, a rounded cantilever canopy with an estimated cost of about $1.2 million and a flat cantilever canopy estimated near $1.4 million. City Manager Rob Mayes cautioned that the project was not yet a formal city priority, calling it "not even on a wish list," and describing it as "more of a dream." He added that officials were open to private financing and emphasized that "This is a very, very initial phase of feasibility."

Mayor Nate Duckett said residents have contacted him offering help to pay for shade at Ricketts Park, and he supported moving forward with a visual and technical assessment. "I thought it would be good to go out and explore what this would look like," he told the council, and he added, "I see it as that next step of the evolution of Ricketts Park." Councilor Linda Rodgers urged prudence and study, saying, "It would be foolish if we didn't try to understand what this would look like" for the cost. Councilor Herman Buck seconded the motion and the council approved funding from the Community Transformation and Economic Diversification Fund.

For San Juan County residents, the approved assessment signals the start of a process that could improve comfort and safety at a key local venue during high heat summers. The work will clarify technical, environmental, and financial hurdles, and it will determine whether a formal capital project or grant pursuit is feasible in coming months.