Skip to main content

Midvale Journal

Get moving with help from Copperview Recreation Center

Feb 03, 2021 10:31AM ● By Sarah Morton Taggart

The Copperview Recreation Center gym is open, with social distancing and face coverings required at all times. (Photo courtesy Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation)

By Sarah Morton Taggart | [email protected]

Keeping that New Year’s resolution to get in shape might be harder this year, but Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation and local parks can help you reach your fitness goals. 

Copperview Recreation Center, located at 8446 S. Harrison St., is a dependable spot for youth sports, adult fitness classes and offers a fully-equipped gym. Operated by Salt Lake County, it also normally offers adaptive recreation, child care and meeting room rentals.

But, of course, the past year has seen changes made in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As of November 2020, access to the rec center is restricted to fitness areas only. The gym offers use of treadmills, upright and recumbent bikes, ellipticals, free weights and various weight machines.

“We’ve been extremely cautious,” said Clayton Scrivner, public relations and marketing manager for Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation. “We’ve looked at where the pinch points are that could prevent people from social distancing. It’s a challenge because each rec center is different.”

To make social distancing easier, reservations are strongly encouraged so that the gym does not become crowded. Drop-in visits are allowed if space is available. Day passes are free for infants under 2; $2 for youth ages 3-17; and $3 for adults ages 62-79, with people over 80 free. For a disability fitness pass it is $3 and includes assistant. Adults ages 18-61 are $4. The adjacent skate park is free to use and currently open to the public.

“Reservations at Copperview have been steady,” Scrivner said. “It’s not empty, and we’re not turning people away.”

Face coverings and social distancing are required at all times and patrons and staff with a fever or respiratory symptoms must stay home. 

To expand recreation options for residents, the county launched the “Stay Connected, Stay Healthy” initiative in January to encourage residents to stay active at home or outdoors. 

The Slim Down the Snowman Fitness Challenge was a four-week program for residents 14 years or older that ran from Jan. 11 through Feb. 6. Participants earned points by working out, either at home or at the rec center, and anyone accumulating at least 15 points got a T-shirt.

Free fitness and wellness classes for all skill levels are available at various times online. January kicked off with yoga on Tuesdays and Saturdays and fitness/toning on Thursdays. The classes are streamed live and available to view later on the Copperview Recreation Center Facebook page. 

Online activities tailored for people with disabilities, including fitness and arts and crafts are also available. 

Kids can join in the fun with monthly recreation-themed coloring contests and the Big 4 Scavenger Hunt. The scavenger hunt offers a fun way to solve clues, puzzles and riddles while exploring Salt Lake County parks. The hunt runs through April 30 and more challenges will be unveiled in the months ahead.

Information about all of Salt Lake County’s programs can be found at slco.org/recreation.

Midvale’s Union Park at 7360 S. 700 East is a great place to start your scavenger hunt. Midvale also has four municipal parks with space to exercise. 

Midvale City Park at 425 W. 6th Ave. has playgrounds, a softball field, and plenty of space to run around. Fire Station Park at 607 E. Fort Union has a small playground. There is a public basketball court at 7511 S. Main St., but the best place to shoot some hoops is at Bingham Junction Park, 6980 S. River Reserve Court. Tucked away between new residential development and the Jordan River, this newer park can be hard to find, but there are several street signs to guide you there. Bingham Junction Park also has playgrounds, a softball field, a hill for sledding and a running track with river views.  

Even with current health guidelines in place, Midvale residents have fitness options to choose from.

“We want to thank everyone for their patience,” Scrivner said. “Our mission is improving lives through play, so it’s been real challenging to keep people apart. We’re doing our best to provide services and look forward to doing more in the future. I encourage people to go online and check out our challenges.”