September 2021
Salt Lake City Foothills Trail System Plan Update

Earlier this month, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced the City's plans for consultant review of aspects of the Foothills Trail System Plan.


We've also added a new blog post on our website with a written summary of the plan.
Fairmont Park Mercury and Oil Sheen Update

Earlier this month, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency was on-site at Fairmont Pond conducting water quality testing after sampling by other agencies indicated there may be mercury in the water.

Fortunately, after extensive testing, it was determined that there was no mercury contamination in the water.

This mercury testing occurred while the City was also investigating a mineral oil leak at the pond. After a thorough investigation, officials with Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County, and Rocky Mountain Power determined the cause of the sheen on the pond to be mineral oil that leaked from a vandalized electric transformer. Mediation efforts are continuing. The mineral oil from the damaged transformer contains no petroleum-based material or other harmful elements.

The City is working to close out this episode and will make sure the clean-up is thorough and complete.
Construction on Bridge to Backman Elementary will Temporarily Close Jordan River Trail

On Monday the 27th, construction began on a bridge across the Jordan River to Backman Elementary. The City has been working with the school and other stakeholders to provide improved access from nearby housing via this new bridge. After the new bridge is installed, the City also has funding to improve the open space west of the river with amenities for families and children. It is anticipated that construction will be complete in March of 2022.

During construction, the Jordan River Trail from 700 N. to 500 N. will be closed to allow crews to safely perform their work. See the image for the recommended detour route
Yoga on Tap

Join us on October 2nd in Liberty Park from 2-6PM for two all-ages, all-levels yoga flows on the lawn complete with a live DJ, cold brews from RoHa Brewing Project, refreshing kombucha from Mamachari Kombucha, food trucks, and a local artist marketplace.
Glendale Park Celebration

Join us on October 8th from 4-6pm at Glendale Park (1300 W. 1700 S.) to celebrate the completion of recent park improvements and public art installation. We'll hear from community leaders, enjoy a cultural performance, participate in an art activity, and more!
Art in the Park

Local artists and craft makers join together with Salt Lake City Public Lands to bring you Art in the Park. October 9th from 4PM-8PM at the historic Allen Park. Feel the autumn air while you admire the park and visit over 20 booths with local artists, sip a cold beer from Kiitos Brewing (valid ID required for purchase), enjoy live music, grab delicious eats by Halabs Jasmine Kitchen and Squatch Pizza, and there’s a free birdhouse painting craft for the kids! This is a family-friendly event and admission is free.

FREE parking will be available across the street at Westminster College. Please remember, because of the natural habitats that live in the park, non-service dogs are prohibited.
RAC to host Pac-12 Cross Country Championships

The Salt Lake Regional Athletic Complex is excited to host the Pac-12 Cross Country Championships next month! On October 29th, Pac-12 schools will send their top runners to Salt Lake City to compete on the RAC’s finest fields and enjoy breathtaking mountain views.
Coming Soon to a Neighborhood Near You: The Newest Members of SLC's Urban Forest

Our Urban Forestry Division will be planting 1,060 trees all around Salt Lake City over the next two months. If you’re interested in having a tree planted in the park strip near your home, call 801-535-7818 to find out how to have the site evaluated and added to the list for a future planting season.
New City Event Permit Application Portal

Some of the unsung heroes in our department belong to the Special Event Permitting Team. They’re responsible for processing all special event, demonstration, film, and block party permit applications.

We’re excited to announce that event organizers in Salt Lake City will now enjoy a more user friendly, streamlined process for applying for special event permits thanks to an expanded partnership between the City and permitting software provider OpenCounter. On September 15th, the City launched a new Special Event Permitting Platform, creating a centralized location for receiving, reviewing, and approving new applications.