In case you were wondering what that sweet ‘n' tangy aroma was coming from Sandy City’s Bicentennial Park around dinner time on June 11, the city was celebrating its fourth annual Historic Sandy Neighborhood Barbecue. The event brought the community together for a celebration, featuring a pulled pork dinner, expertly prepared by the United Methodist Hilltop Boy Scouts of America troops 8411 and 411.

The occasion included a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new playground and enhanced park amenities for Bicentennial Park. The park renovation reflects the city's commitment to providing spaces throughout the city for enjoyment and community building. Just minutes before the ribbon cutting, an Alta High School student made a significant impact by presenting a generous donation to the Sandy Club Pantry, highlighting his dedication to supporting community members in need.

Sandy City Councilmember Ryan Mecham, District 1, welcomed Mayor Monica Zoltanski, elected officials, and the community to Sandy City’s annual Historic Neighborhood Barbeque. This year’s event celebrated the official ribbon-cutting ceremony in recognition of the complete refresh of one of Sandy City’s oldest parks, located at 530 E. 8680 South.  

According to Susan Wood, Sandy City public affairs and public information officer, the new playground features equipment to provide a safer, more sensory environment for kids, with a poured-in-place surface that makes it more accessible to those with mobility issues. The park also features a hammock lounge, four new pickleball courts, two new tennis courts, a permanent cornhole and a slackline.

The park renovation is part of an overhaul of the city resources in historic Sandy. During her opening comments, Zoltanski thanked Sandy City Parks Superintendent Jeremy Garcia for serving as the acting foreman and overseeing all the contractors involved in the project. She noted the project was made possible by the help of funds from Salt Lake County’s Transportation, Recreation, Culture and Conventions (TRCC) grant program.

“Having a safe park, a beautiful playground, and a baseball field makes a great gathering space for community,” Zoltanski said. “The community is going to see the enjoyment this investment in historic Sandy will bring generations to come; our deep thanks go to Mayor Wilson, the Salt Lake County City Council, and the TRCC board and staff whose donation of more than $750,000 more than matched our city contribution.”

Shalome Orton, the Executive Director of the Sandy Club, which was founded in 1991 and located just steps away from Bicentennial Park, directed the children from the Sandy Club to sing the national anthem to kick off the evening's events.

David “Van” Hafner, a senior at Alta High School and lifeguard at the Sandy Recreation Center, took the stage following Zoltanski’s remarks and presented a $500 Smith’s Food gift card to the Sandy Club.  His donation was given in support of the club’s community food pantry, which plays a vital role in meeting the food security needs of local children.

For the last two years, Hafner has dedicated himself to helping to retire the lunch school debt in the Canyons School District. According to Zoltanski, to date, he has raised over $4,500 to help address this need and was honored with the Smith’s Zero Hunger Award, receiving a $500 food gift card. Hafner said, “I thought the best thing I could do with the food card was to donate it to the Sandy Club pantry. I enjoy doing philanthropy, and I thought this would be the perfect way to show my support for those kids in need.”   

Zoltanski and the Sandy City community celebrated the opening of the improved park with a countdown and ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

"This investment in Sandy will serve as a gathering space for community and friendships,” Zoltanski said. "We hope it will be here for many generations to come—a place to enjoy and a place to build community."