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Residents Encouraged to View Movies in the Park

Jun 29, 2016 08:46AM ● By Kelly Cannon

The annual Movies in the Park brings families together for outdoor movie night. —Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center

By Kelly Cannon | [email protected]

Cottonwood Heights

Cottonwood Heights families are encouraged to spend their Friday nights enjoying Movies in the Park. Every two weeks at alternating parks, the Cottonwood Heights Parks and Recreation Department will be showing family-friendly movies free to the public.

 According to Andrew Davis, the recreation program coordinator for the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center, Movies in the Park have been going on since 2007.

 “The idea came together because we wanted to get the community out and come together with their families or friends to enjoy a night out on us with the help of our sponsors, Granite Construction [and] Cottonwood Heights City,” Davis said.

 This year, Movies in the Park kicked off with “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” on June 17 at Mountainview Park. 

The next movie will be on July 8 at Mill Hollow Park. The movie, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” focuses on a team of mutated turtles who emerge from the shadows of New York City to fight a kingpin who threatens the city. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence.

On July 22, “Zootopia” will be shown at Butler Park. In a city of anthropomorphic animals, “Zootopia” tells the story of a rookie bunny cop and a cynical con artist who must work together to uncover a conspiracy. The movie is rated PG for some thematic elements, rude humor and action. 

“Aladdin” will be shown on Aug. 12 at Bywater Park. The Disney classic’s main character, Aladdin, is a street urchin who, vying for the love of a beautiful princess, uses a genie’s magical powers to make himself a prince in order to marry her. “Aladdin” is rated G.

When it comes to how the movies are selected, Davis explained there are usually around 10 movies chosen that will work with the department’s schedule.

“From that point the movies are typically selected by asking patrons and employees of the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center what movies they have enjoyed out of those and if they would like to watch them in Movies in the Park,” Davis said.

In order to legally show the movies, Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center purchases the viewing rights for each of the films.

The shows have a high attendance with around 200 to 400 people showing up, depending on the movie. Unfortunately, if the weather is bad, the Movie in the Park night has to be canceled.

Davis said he’s found the Movies in the Park to be a popular event each year.

“As long as I have been here, I feel like there has been great response towards Movies in the Park. It’s a nice option for families and friends to go out on a Friday night and not have to pay the theater fees to see a great movie,” Davis said. “This year we are hoping to have food trucks at Movies in the Park so families can get a bite to eat for dinner before or during the event.”

To learn more about the Movies in the Park and the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center, visit http://cottonwoodheights.com