Growing Needs for a Vibrant Community

As the cold winter months settle in and our New Year’s resolutions take hold, some like me head to the mountains to enjoy our time on the slopes. Regardless, many also look towards our incredible parks and recreation facilities that provide spaces for exercise, connection, and the enjoyment of nature as outlets for staying active, engaged and maybe say goodbye to the holiday calories.

In Meridian, we are fortunate to have premier recreational facilities we all share as a community. To preserve and protect the quality of our parks, we may close certain areas temporarily to prevent damage. Similarly, we may implement reservation and scheduling practices for our recreation facilities and pavilions to ensure fair access for all our residents. These measures may occasionally feel restrictive, but they are essential to maintaining the high standards that our community expects from its public spaces.

So, when you do visit our parks and recreational facilities, we encourage you to pack your patience, extend kindness to others, adhere to posted signage, and follow the lead of our staff. Our staff are working hard to accommodate everyone utilizing winter-friendly amenities, and your understanding goes a long way in fostering the sense of community that makes Meridian great. 

As our community grows, we will continue to be proactive to ensure that our parks and recreational facilities meet the needs of Meridian’s active population. A significant step forward is the planned development of a new community center. We have purchased land next to Settlers Park to accommodate the new center and a future dog park. As part of the planning process, we recently hosted an open house to gather feedback from the community on the future park expansion. Residents shared their thoughts on proposed amenities, priorities for the new center, parking benefits and traffic impacts. This input will help us shape a facility that reflects the community’s needs and aspirations.

Ultimately, please know that our Parks and Recreation Department is working tirelessly to manage the day-to-day operations of our parks system, as well as looking for future needs I encourage you to read more about your local parks and their amenities on our website at meridiancity.org/parks. Whether it’s a new playground, future park, pathway connection, or community center, they are committed to benefiting everyone by making the most of our shared spaces. Together, we can build a stronger, more connected Meridian that offers opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and connection year-round.

Thank you for being part of what makes Meridian such a special place to live, work and raise a family. Stay warm, active, and connected, and while you may not see me playing pickleball at Homecourt, please say hello if we pass by on the slopes!