What to Expect with Salt Lake City's Public Lands in the Wake of COVID-19
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Like many organizations and industries around the world, Salt Lake City Corporation and the Public Lands Divisions have altered operations in an effort to fight the spread of COVID-19 and prepare for a potential economic downturn. These changes have and will continue to impact the appearance of SLC parks and public spaces.
You may notice longer grass, garbage that is not emptied as often, repairs that may take longer than in previous months, and less manicured flower beds and potted plants downtown. Please know that SLC Parks, Trails & Natural Lands and Urban Forestry will continue to perform maintenance services at all City owned public lands facilities, however it may be less often.
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Fortunately, during the pandemic our parks and other public lands have been filled with users who have found respite in the outdoors during these troubling times. Despite these changes, our open spaces have been just as popular as ever before.
We ask that the members of our community continue to be patient with us as we all adjust to this new normal. The parks, trails, and natural lands will remain open for all to use. Please continue to maintain 6 ft. between you and other users.
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The Morris Mountain
project
includes two trails: a downhill biking trail traversing across the southern face from east to west; and a foot-traffic and uphill biking trail ascending from Morris Meadows to Morris Mountain ridge-line.
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The City Creek project
also includes two trails: a foot-traffic and uphill biking trail connecting City Creek and Morris Meadows from Bonneville Boulevard; and a foot-traffic only walking trail around upper slopes of Memory Grove en route to the Capitol.
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Suzy Lee is joining Salt Lake City Public Lands as our new Parks Usage Coordinator!
Suzy completed her education in upstate New York before moving to Utah. She has a background in outdoor recreation, outreach, and land management. She is passionate about facilitating recreational opportunities and increasing participation within under-represented communities. In her free time Suzy loves to get outside and hike, climb, and bike.
Welcome, Suzy!
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What is it?
The
Typologies Guide
is a very important project for everyone in Salt Lake City. Streets comprise more than 80% of public spaces in cities and this
Guide
is a unique opportunity to refocus the design of these critical community spaces on people.
Previous survey feedback indicated that, no matter the age, transportation choices, income, or neighborhood, person mobility (or the movement of people walking, using mobility devices, and bicycling) was the most important function of the public right of way.
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The
Guide
creates new definitions and designs for 15 distinct kinds (or typologies) of streets in the city by considering land use contexts and incorporating community goals. The typologies will help the City create streets that are designed better for everyone- by design.
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Public Review Period
The
public review period
of the project’s typologies, cross sections, and map is now live! By August 15
th
, please provide your feedback via overall project and individual typology surveys, and the web map commenting tools.
Next Steps
This and previous feedback will inform the
Guide’s
final web and print versions. This public review period will also include a presentation to and tour with the City Council this summer, with a final draft of the
Guide
available in the fall.
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There are eight different subspecies of rattlesnake found in Utah, the most common being the Great Basin rattlesnake. They are often mistaken for Gophersnakes, which also hiss and have vibrating tails. A rattlesnake has a full, blunt tail with a rattle and a broad triangular head, unlike the Gophersnake. Keep in mind that non-venomous snakes in Utah have longer snouts and round pupils.
In this area, the Great Basin rattlesnake gives birth to 10-15 per litter and stays with their young for up to ten days, which is unusual in the snake family. It's believed that the mother waits for the rattles of her young to develop, requiring them to shed a segment of skin.
During cold periods, the Great Basin rattlesnake takes shelter in mammal burrows, crevices, and caves where they become inactive. Their great sense of smell leads them to the same sites every year and is typically kept in the family, as they follow scents of individuals closely related to them.
In the summer, you can find the Great Basin rattlesnake in rocky, high elevation slopes making the Bonneville Shoreline trail prime habitat. They are most active at dawn and dusk while they rodents, birds, and other reptiles. These rattlers are protected under Utah law, so steer clear as they are attempting the same. Make sure to keep a keen eye on the trail, checking rocks, ledges, and logs.
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Tucked away on 749 East and 500 South is Gilgal Sculpture Garden, a hidden local treasure. It is the only visionary art environment designated in Utah, containing an all-season garden, 12 original sculptures, and over 70 stones engraved with scriptures, poems, and literary texts. Many of the sculptures surround LDS themes, one being the most well-known sculpture: a sphinx with the face of Joseph Smith, founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Gilgal Sculpture Garden as a public park, though 1945 marked its origin in the backyard of Thomas Child, a renowned masonry contractor and LDS bishop. Child didn't consider himself an artist, nor was he classically trained, but he went through great lengths creating magnificent representations of his spiritual exploration for nearly 20 years. Child shared his unconventional garden with thousands of visitors over his lifetime. He expected his unusual garden would not be understood or appreciated by many, but hoped his creation would arouse thinking and curiosity.
We are excited to announce that it is now Utah's first site in the Distinctive Destinations program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation!
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Follow our weekly hashtags
#WildlifeWedneday
and
#slcParkHistory
to learn more about our city!
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