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Show Volume XXX Issue VI The Ogden Valley News Page 9 November 1, 2023 History of Eden Park including an auction of donated items from the community. Dave Carver was very active in collecting the donations. One large donation came from Clair VanMeeteren who donated a beef. Arena construction got underway. Some of the people who were very active in the project were Larry Summers and Cal Stevens (welding); Ray Hill, Cord Pack, Boyd Storey, and John Wilson (prep and painting of the arena perimeter fencing). Gale and Haynes Fuller donated the gates and score boards were donated by Coca Cola. Rodney (Peterson) went to the Forest Service for permission to get free sand from the Pineview beaches to fill the ground on the arena floor and to the county for permission to use some of their dump trucks to haul the sand. Floyd Hogge, at that time, was farming hay on the eight-acre area. He was requested to leave several bales on the field, and these were used as barriers for a horse baton race on the 4th of July between four teams from Eden, Liberty, and Huntsville. Kent Fuller put up a monetary reward for the winners. It was an exciting event. The race was held for two years on the large open field until the arena was completed and then the race was moved to the arena. Next, trees were planted along the north and west sides of the park. Many of these trees were donated and cared for by townsfolk. Earl Christensen used his large equipment to till up the acreage and several townsfolk used their smaller tractors to level it out for planting grass. The Park had irrigation water rights and workers attempted to flood irrigate the grass, but it created large ruts. In the third or fourth year, Betty Lund loaned the Park money to buy a pump for the ditch, but that proved to be inefficient also. She then loaned enough money to dig a well and buy a bigger pump. That well is located outside the northwest corner of the arena and is still in use. Rodney and others Editor’s Note: This history is based on memories of Rodney Peterson of Eden, which, he says, may or may not be totally accurate! I’m sure all would agree, however, that great things can be accomplished when a community “rolls up their sleeves” and comes together to make things a little bit better than how they found them. Many years ago, all the park land in the town center of Eden belonged to the Eccles family. They also owned the Cobabe Ranch at that time. The family decided to donate the eight acres to the town of Eden. However, there was no organized “Eden Town,” so the LDS Church agreed to become the care takers (not owners) of the land. Art Murray, with help from a few others, built a bowery directly behind today’s Eden fire station (currently owned by Grass Plus). Bowery users had access to the restrooms located in the back of the fire station. This bowery and grassy area to the west of it were utilized for community 4th of July celebrations, including breakfasts, for the next ten years. Around 1980 – 1983, the LDS Church notified Weber County that they no longer wanted to be associated with the “ownership” of that land and asked the county to take it over and develop it. Weber County then created a new committee to accomplish the development. Members were Eden residents Boyd Storey, Betty Lund, John Wilson, Fred Robins, and Rodney Peterson. Eden Park became a “subdivision” of Weber County. Weber County could then collect taxes from Eden residents to support the park, which was a $10 yearly tax fee assessment on every household within Eden’s boundaries. The committee decided to develop the vacant eight-acre park area beginning with a horse arena. Because tax funds were not yet available, fundraising efforts were organized, built a pump house near the well to contain the controls and automatic timers for the irrigation system. They also installed sprinkler heads on long vertical pipes around the perimeter of the arena. These sprinklers are run for a short time every afternoon in the summer to keep the arena from becoming a dust bowl. The County gave the small fire station to the Park to sell and, in return, the two acres to the west of the station were given to the Fire Department to build a much larger station. The Park sold the small building and funds were used to build a new bowery south of the arena. A construction company was hired to build the structure, which consisted of a large kitchen, two large covered open boweries—one on the north side and one on the south side—and two restrooms with access from the outside. John Wilson built picnic tables that occupied the space under the boweries. Also constructed at that time were a baseball diamond, a backstop, and a two-story announcer building to the west of the bowery. The Park went through some bad times and was nearly broke, unable to pay bills. County Commissioners called Rodney and asked him to go back on the Board for his third and last time. Rodney asked for Grant Weller, Lisa Pack, Wayne Pack, and Lance Quinn to join him on that committee. Some of the new committee’s projects: lawn was planted on the East side of the bowery, the announcer’s building, which had been a source of vandalism, was torn down, and a children’s playground was installed. The Park’s insurance representatives said the playground was too close to the arena for safety reasons and would need to be fenced or moved. The Board chose to move it south to its current location. A bridge over the west canal was removed because park visitors sometimes parked on the busy highway and then crossed over the bridge. Through careful planning, do-it-yourself labor, and funds obtained through a Weber County Ramp grant the bowery was modified. Peterson Builders were hired to make the changes: the north bowery was enclosed, the kitchen was reduced in size, and a hallway added. Because the restrooms were sometimes vandalized in the night, it was decided to close off their outside entrances and have them open to the inside hallway instead. Rodney and others finished the new restrooms by adding new stalls, toilets, and sinks. A fireplace was donated by Brent Hogge and installed in the new, large open community room. Rodney added a new, large rough-timber mantle to the fireplace. He also tiled the floors inside the east entrances, added a furnace, and installed new light fixtures in the large room. Brent Carver also worked very hard on Park projects, spending much of his time to benefit the town. A stone bench near the playground was dedicated to his memory. After all the changes were completed, the current Park Board at that time decided to have a grand opening of sorts with refreshments, inviting the townspeople to attend to see the new changes. The Board announced at the gathering that they were naming the new room after Rodney—the Eden Park Rodney D. Peterson Community Center. From The Past . . . Calling All Entertainers for Ogden’s Christmas Village Each year as part of Ogden’s Christmas Village, singers, dancers, and all forms of entertainers take the stage at the Ogden Amphitheater bringing free entertainment for the public to enjoy. Would you like to perform or know of a group who would enjoy being part of this holiday tradition in Ogden? Ogden’s Christmas Village opens November 25 and this year’s theme is “Snow Place like Ogden.” Performances for school choirs and other performing groups are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Nov. 27 – Dec. 21) on the Ogden Amphitheater stage. Groups can sign up for 30-minute increments and large groups can sign up for more than one slot. Time slots are 6:30 p.m., 7:15 p.m., and 8:00 p.m. Performances can range in genre and group size but must be largely based on holiday themes. These scheduled times are first come, first serve. Please contact amphitheater@ogdencity. com as soon as possible to reserve your spot. The Ogden Amphitheater will provide PA/ mics, aux input, choir risers (when requested), and stage décor. All other needs will be the responsibility of the performing group. Each group should prepare to perform in freezing temperatures and in the snow. Please dress accordingly for the weather. Some inclement weather may cause delays or cancellations. Follow social media outlets for up-to-date information. You can send an email to amphitheater@ogdencity.com for timeslot inquiries. Please include three available dates/ times ASAP and we’ll find one that works best for your group. A full schedule will be displayed at the village, and available online to share with family and friends. Information about Ogden’s Christmas Village can be found at ogdencity.com/452/ Christmas-Village. About Ogden Amphitheater - The facility and employees strive to offer each guest a first-class experience when visiting. Whether you are an event producer, a performing artist, or a guest in the audience, we assure you that you will feel at home. With over 90 events each year ranging from major concerts to private weddings, the Amphitheater staff helps make your performance a success. The Arts, Culture, and Events team produces many signature events and welcomes artists to apply through our online artist application. We encourage everyone to consider utilizing this gem of a venue when planning their next event. Visit ogdenamphitheater.com for more information. Morning row on Pineview Reservoir circa 1914. Photo courtesy of Blythe Klein. The Ogden Valley News is looking for Ogden Valley and Ogden Canyon historical biographies, stories, and photos to use in its publication. Please mail, email, or call Shanna at 801-745-2688 or Jeannie at 801-745-2879 if you have material you are willing to share. -Flatwork -Decorative Concrete -Concrete Prep Schedule a Quote Today! 801-857-1567 Danny Graves | @DJFencingLLC Nov. 1 - All Saints Day, Mass at 5:30 p.m Wednesday Night Saturday Night Sunday Morning First Friday 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 9:00 a.m. 8:30 a m. Fr. Joshua Marie Santos 801-399-5627 FrJoshuaS.Stambrose@gmail.com Saturday 5:30 p.m Sunday 8:00 a.m. or by appt. Saint Joseph Catholic Elementary, Middle School, and High School Providing a challenging, college-focused education in the proven tradition of Catholic schools, for the families of the Ogden Valley. We want to teach your children! 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