Ivins Inspired

09/03/2026

Feel like you're missing out on what's happening in Ivins? We get it. It takes more than one reminder for something to stick, and plans change all the time. The event you scrolled past last week might be exactly what you're free for this weekend.

Here's a quick list of pages worth following if you want more of those reminders in your feed:

Ivins City, for official updates and meeting notices
Ivins Arts Commission, for public art and creative programming
Ivins City Parks and Recreation, for trails, rec programs, and outdoor events
Center for the Arts at Kayenta and Kayenta Art Village, for performances and exhibits
Tuacahn Center for the Arts, for concerts, shows, and events at the amphitheater
Ivins Inspired (linked in this post), for volunteer opportunities and ways to get connected
Ivins Historical Society, for Heritage Days and local history events

Give them all a follow. That way, events keep showing up right in your feed instead of you having to go hunting for them.

While you're at it, if you haven't already, join the Ivins Facebook group too: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1cG7jsghGx/. It's another good way to stay connected with neighbors and see what's happening locally.

Know of another page or group that shares local events? Drop it in the comments so everyone can find it.

Want to help spread the word even further? Invite your friends to follow (and join!) too.

07/06/2026

A project update from Ivins Inspired 🎨

We received a message this week from a community member who loves the Safety in Art project but is worried about how it looks right now. She's not alone, and her note prompted us to share an update.

We understand the design and colors aren't everyone's taste, and that's okay. What we can all agree on is that it shouldn't look the way it does right now, and we are taking that seriously. We are actively working with both the paint vendor and the installer to understand what happened and how to fix it.

We have confirmation that a representative from the paint company will be coming out to assess the situation in person. We don't have a date yet but will share that as soon as we do. From there, we expect the plan to involve cleaning, touch-up work, and some problem-solving on how to keep it looking good going forward. The paint is rated to last 6 to 7 years, and we are committed to making sure it does. After that, Ivins Inspired will take on the responsibility of repainting it.

We are confident that we will find a solution and will keep you posted every step of the way. Thank you for your patience as we work through this! 🙏

06/27/2026

Exactly! 👏

06/24/2026

We are thrilled to share that Ivins Inspired has been awarded an AARP Community Challenge Grant for our Safety in Art project!

AARP's Community Challenge grants support quick, practical improvements that help residents of all ages live well where they are, including safer streets, accessible public spaces, and stronger community connections. We are proud to be among this year's Utah recipients alongside some incredible organizations doing meaningful work across the state.

This grant helped fund Safety in Art, our pilot asphalt art project at the Red Mountain Boulevard/200 E and Center Street roundabout, designed to creatively calm traffic and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists of all ages. The artwork was created by Utah Tech University Art Department student, Nicki Douberley, and we are so proud of that collaboration.

A project like this doesn't happen without community support. We are deeply grateful to the organizations who provided letters of support: the Southern Utah Veterans Home-Ivins, Vista School, Rocky Vista University - Utah Campus, Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety, and the Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance. Your voices helped make this possible.

We also want to thank our partners, Ivins City and the Ivins Arts Commission, for their collaboration and commitment to this project from the very beginning. This is what community looks like.

Stay tuned for updates as we continue to evaluate the project and look forward to sharing traffic study results this fall.

06/18/2026

Just want to take a moment to thank the Ivins Historical Society for sharing the photos and stories that capture the proud history of our city. Every post is a reminder of how much heart and heritage went into making Ivins the place we call home today.

I'm truly grateful for the work you do, and I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about our city's history because of you. 🙂

If you haven't already, join their Facebook group and follow along. It's worth it!

06/17/2026

📢 Update: Tonight's event has been postponed

We're sorry for the short notice, but tonight's pedestrian and bike safety community discussion at Heritage Park Pavilion has been postponed.

We're still committed to having this conversation with you. We're planning to bring everyone back together for a more formal event in late August or early September, in partnership with Ivins City and Santa Clara-Ivins Public Safety, along with other community partners.

Have a suggestion, question, or idea in the meantime? Reach out anytime at [email protected].

Thank you for your patience and for caring about making Ivins safer for everyone. We'll share updated details as soon as we have them.

06/16/2026

We know this project has sparked some strong opinions — and that's exactly why we hope you'll join us this Wednesday.

Join us June 17, 9:30–10:30 a.m. to learn more about the new "Safety in Art" Roundabout on Center Street in Ivins and be part of the conversation about pedestrian safety in our community.

This is a true community success story — inspired by conversations following a crash involving a teenager on a scooter near Vista School, Ivins Inspired, Ivins City, and the Ivins City Arts Commission spent more than a year bringing this vision to life. The roundabout explores how art can calm traffic and improve pedestrian safety in a rapidly growing region where walkable streets matter more than ever.

Come with your questions, your concerns, and your ideas. Hear how the project came together, what we've learned, and what comes next. Every voice matters.

Register here 👇
https://www.conserveswu.org/events/strong-towns-meet-up-safety-in-art-roundabout-ivins/form?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=2026-06-15&utm_campaign=Desert+Livability+Update+Ivins+Safety+in+Art+Roundabout

P.S. You may notice some tire marks on the art — we see it too and are already working on a fix! The roundabout is still new, and we're learning as we go. That's part of what this meetup is all about.

Arts Commission

06/08/2026

33 Ivins residents have spoken — have you?

So far, our AARP Age-Friendly survey tells us:
🐾 A dog park is one of the most-requested additions
✅ 90% of respondents feel safe in our parks and open spaces
🎾 More pickleball and tennis courts are high on the wish list
🥾 Expanding walking, hiking, and biking trails is a top priority
🎉 More programs for older adults AND youth and community events are in demand

And while you might associate AARP with seniors, the Age-Friendly Community initiative is for everyone — kids, families, young adults, and older residents alike. An age-friendly Ivins is a better Ivins for ALL of us. That's why we need voices from across the community!

The survey covers parks, trails, open spaces, buildings, and recreation programs — and takes just 5–7 minutes to complete. It's completely anonymous.

👉 Take it here: surveymonkey.com/r/GTRX6BN

Help shape the future of Ivins City's outdoor spaces and community facilities — your input matters!

Thank you!

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

06/02/2026

Join us this Thursday, June 4, from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM for the Ivins Community Celebration & Freedom 250 Experience.

We'll meet at 9:00 AM at the Icebox Grill stage for the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the new "Safety in Art" roundabout installation. This community-led pilot project uses public art as a traffic-calming tool to help increase driver awareness and create safer streets.

After the ribbon cutting, we'll take a short walk to the Freedom 250 Truck and Community Celebration area along the closed roadway between Veterans Park and the Southern Utah Veterans Home.

The event will feature community organization booths, an art activity, opportunities to learn more about the Ivins City Arts Commission's developing Arts Districts, and information about the Ivins City AARP Age-Friendly Community initiative. The Freedom 250 Truck will be open from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on both June 4 and June 5.

If you're curious about the "Safety in Art" project, stop by and visit with the Ivins Inspired and Strong Towns WashCo teams. We'd be happy to answer questions, share the research behind the project, discuss what we've learned from other communities, and hear your thoughts.

We hope you'll join us as we celebrate a project that brings together public art, safety, and community connection.

05/25/2026

Join us on Thursday, June 4 for the Ivins Community Celebration & Freedom 250 Experience!

We’ll kick off the morning at 9:00 AM with the grand opening and ribbon cutting for the new “Safety in Art” roundabout installation at Center Street & Red Mountain Blvd./200 W — a community-driven project using art to help slow traffic and create safer streets.

After the ribbon cutting, residents are invited to walk together to the Freedom 250 Truck and Community Celebration area along the closed roadway between Veterans Park and the Southern Utah Veterans Home. The event will include community organization booths, art activities, resident engagement opportunities, and opportunities to learn more about the Ivins City Arts Commission’s developing Arts Districts, along with the Ivins City AARP Age-Friendly Community initiative.

The Freedom 250 Truck experience will also be open to the public from 10:00 AM–5:00 PM on both June 4 and 5.

Come celebrate creativity, community connection, and the future of placemaking in Ivins!