Require development of a 3 acre active/festival field on the land that Sun Valley Company would like annexed into the City of Ketchum

Background (Preamble):
In 2004, Sun Valley Company unveiled a 50 year plan to develop 160 acres at River Run. The plan included an active park at the northern edge of the proposed annexation property. This is a flat field where residents currently walk, play, enjoy open space with mountain and river views and a paraglide company safely lands.

However in 2009, the Sun Valley Company proposed a new plan. According to the new plan, there are no areas adjacent to the development set aside for any type of active recreation such as playing fields.

Where do the workers, home owners, and tourists from this proposed project go to play soccer, throw Frisbees or play football? Atkinson Park is the only north valley park that includes ball fields used for active team recreation and, according to John Kearney at the Ketchum Parks and Recreation department, We exceeded capacity about 5 years ago and are bursting at the seams for active recreation space for both youth and adults of all abilities and walks of life.

Petition:
We the undersigned express our support of the 3 acre festival field on the 160 acre parcel of land that Sun Valley Company would like to be annexed. We need an Active park for: 1) More multi-use active recreation/playing fields, 2) A festival concert/park, and 3) A safe paragliding landing zone.

And, we believe that the 3-6 acres of active recreation would be advantageously located on the proposed north end of the annexation property where the bulk of the population will reside: Workers on site, homeowners, and tourists. This area will be utilized widely by the community and managed by the Ketchum Parks Department.

We appreciate all that the Sun Valley Company has done for our town, economy, and existence. However, with this development, the Sun Valley Company will be creating a neighborhood at River Run and EVERY neighborhood should have a space for people to recreate. Atkinsons park can not accommodate this need. Therefore, the city of Ketchum should not annex so much acreage without requiring another park to take on the additional population.

We the undersigned call for the reinstatement of the 3-6 acre festival field on the 160 acre parcel of land that Sun Valley Company would like to be annexed and we ask you to join us in calling for reinstating this design component into the River Run development plans.

Thank you.