A historic theme park marking the site of the Mormon Pioneers' first encampment in the Salt Lake Valley was dedicated July 22. The ceremony, at what is now 1700 South and 500 East in Salt Lake City, was dedicated precisely 150 years from the date the pioneers built their first campfire in the valley.
Before offering a prayer to dedicate the First Encampment Park, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve and chairman of the Church's Sesquicentennial Committee, addressed some 2,500 people who gathered at an intersection that, in normal circumstances, has heavy traffic but which was closed to vehicles for the ceremony.The park was constructed as a sesquicentennial project by members of the Salt Lake Emigration and Salt Lake Wells stakes. William B. Smart, project chairman, was master of ceremonies for the dedicatory service, which got under way with a flag ceremony conducted by members of the U.S. Mormon Battalion and participated in by Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts.
In his remarks, Elder Ballard commended members of the two stakes for their work in creating the park. He referred to the site as "hallowed ground." He said that one of the aims of the Church Sesquicentennial Committee was that this would "be a year of revitalization of our faith in the things that are right and just, that we could make a contribution to our communities that would be lasting, and live long after we're gone. . . . This is one example that will live long after many of us are gone."
Elder Ballard offered the prayer dedicating the property as "a special place where thy children can come to contemplate, think, and ponder upon their heritage."
Also speaking at the ceremony were Salt Lake Emigration Stake Pres. Richard G. Hinckley and Salt Lake Wells Stake Pres. Marlin S. Miller. Salt Lake Mayor Deedee Corradini officially accepted the park as a gift from the two stakes to the city.
Primary children from the two stakes sang "To Be a Pioneer" and "Whenever I Think about Pioneers."
Naomi H. Clegg, a descendant of pioneer Shadrack Roundy, offered the invocation. Blanche Z. Madsen, past president of the Salt Lake Liberty Park Company of Daughters of Utah Pioneers gave the benediction.
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting ceremony was participated in by descendants of pioneers. Three of the participants are in their 80s and 90s: William J. Bouck, grandson of Joseph Egbert; Louis Gill R. Broadbent, granddaughter of Willard Richards; and Barbara W. Dittmore, great-granddaughter of Harriet Young. Representing "younger pioneers" in the ribbon-cutting ceremony were Eliza Graves, 8, a descendant of William Henrie; Michelle Stacey, 6, a descendant of Sylvester Henry Earl; and David Beesley, 4, a descendant of Orson Pratt.
