> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.sandystandard.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Meinig Park Renovations Began, Set to Finish by Winterfest - URL: https://www.sandystandard.com/meinig-park-renovations-began-set-to-finish-by-winterfest/ - Published: 2026-07-21T17:34:20.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-21T17:34:20.000Z - Author: The Sandy Standard *By Abby Haney, The Sandy Standard* With the Sandy Mountain Festival’s conclusion, renovations on Meinig Park have begun. These new amenities will address concerns that have been flagged over the years and increase ADA accessibility. The Meinig Park renovations are aimed towards improving accessibility and expanding to be more inclusive. Many addressed the difficulties with the pathways, hills, and layout of the park. The renovations will target improving trail grading and replacing the asphalt, improving lighting, replacing picnic pavilions, and adding another restroom. “We're improving the overall user experience within the park,” Parks and Recreation Director Tiana Rundell said. “The park will become much more accessible for all users compared to how it currently sits.” With these renovations, Meinig will meet ADA accessibility and Architectural Barriers Act (an accessibility guide within the natural environment). Due to the nature of the park, especially the tree roots, the park won’t achieve full ADA accessibility but its usability will increase. Improving Meinig has been a goal but due to other construction (Cedar Park and Deer Point Park), and funding, it has been delayed. Due to the completion of the other projects and the city receiving two grants, Meinig Park renovations can officially begin. “It's reached a point where we really do need to address those concerns, and we've been able to secure funding,” Rundell said. Renovations began on July 14, right after the Sandy Mountain Festival concluded. Many residents will have begun to see construction fencing, entrances, and mobilization in place. “It'll be kind of all that prep work that takes place \[the first week\],” Rundell said. In early August, new ADA pavilions and new restroom elements will begin arriving. Due to this, removal of the old pavilions and prepping the restroom site will be a high priority. “We'll probably start seeing a lot of demolition taking place of those pavilions that are behind City Hall, as well as site preparation for the restroom,” Rundell said. Removal of asphalt paths will be another step. Rundell hopes the work will be done from the back of the park moving forward. Throughout this renovation process, Meinig Park will be closed to the public in order to protect the workers and citizens. “Meinig Park will be closed to the public, for safety of the public and for the contractors,” Rundell said. While increasing Meinig’s usability is a focus, not damaging tree roots and the overall greenery within the park is another criteria. Citizens have expressed their concerns for preservation of the natural resources within the park. The city is taking careful measures to protect those, including hiring additional resources to oversee construction. “It's really important to be mindful and protect the tree canopy that's in that park,” Rundell said. “So we have an arborist that we have contracted that will oversee and monitor the construction work, especially any excavation that takes place in what they call the critical root zones of those trees.” Construction began after the Sandy Mountain Festival. The city hopes to have construction complete before its next major event, Sandy Winterfest. The hope is that the majority of the project will be concluded in November, making it open for Winterfest as usual. “We do not have a scheduled ribbon cutting or grand opening publicized yet because in the world of construction, things are flexible,” Rundell said. The final date is not confirmed, as the city understands the hiccups that could arise with construction. Currently, no issues are foreseen and the renovations will begin efficiently. “We plan for smooth sailing, but a project of this nature has the potential for hidden surprises. We're working with an established park versus a clean slate, so we're going to be tearing things out and unearthing things,” Rundell said. While the park is set to be finished by Winterfest, other events that normally occur at Meinig Park will be rescheduled. The Parks and Recreation department has started discussing events, including the Teen Egg Hunt for Halloween, and their new locations. Their hope is that the changes will offer a fresh experience. “It'll be a new experience. We'll learn, and the public will learn, and hopefully it'll be a fun changeup for people,” Rundell said. The City and the Parks and Recreation Department have heard concerns from the public about Fantasy Forest being torn down. Fantasy Forest is not being torn down during the renovations and will continue to be a resource for all. The city plans to improve it by completing minor restoration. “We are going to take advantage of the fact that the park is closed, and we are going to complete some deferred maintenance and repairs in the playground. But we are not removing Fantasy Forest,” Rundell said. Meinig Park will re-open with increased accessibility and new features that can be used by all.