Parks and green spaces in our backyards contribute to our wellbeing, social connection, and enjoyment of the outdoors for all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. In the Salt Lake Valley, barriers between east and west-side communities limit mobility, access to employment, services, and entertainment, and silo communities. Greenways carry people across these divides, bridging communities and ecosystems from the Wasatch Range to the Jordan River.
Utah Qualified Opportunity & Environmental Justice Zones [01]
Vision
Addressing Equity & Access in our COMMUNITY
Greenways bridge the east-west divide in the Salt Lake Valley to create a more resilient society and environment. Communities from the Wasatch Range to the Jordan River will have equitable access to public lands and connections to recreation, celebration, learning, and enjoyment. Inclusive planning and design will reduce barriers for underrepresented populations and provide space for diverse cultures, traditions, interests, uses, abilities, and ages.
Goals
Program environmental education, volunteer events, and service projects to help maintain the greenways.
Reduce physical and psychological barriers to access.
Encourage healthy physical and mental lifestyles to improve quality-of-life and livability.
Work with residents, community groups, developers, and government leaders to mitigate the impacts of green gentrification.
Improve access to information about the creeks and opportunities for outdoor recreation, active transportation, and leisure.
Create locations for community gathering, cultural events, and art to share the story of our creeks and people.
Opportunity Areas
Opportunity Areas
Big Idea
200 East to 200 West
Category: 10-Year
City: South Salt Lake
Typology: Utility Corridor
Creek: Mill
Stream Length: 0.6 miles
Buried: 0.1 miles
Impaired: 0.5 miles
Estimated Cost: $4-8M
In South Salt Lake, Mill Creek flows through patches of residential, industrial, and park. The stream is nearly a straight line through the city and much of the channel is reinforced with concrete—devoid of habitat value. Natural stretches of Mill Creek at Fitts Park show promise for wildlife, trails, and community amenities. West, an abandoned rail corridor and underutilized parcels along the creek present opportunity for a linear park from 200 East to 200 West. The creek should be given a larger riparian buffer and meanders re-established in the channel to improve habitat value. Daylighting Mill Creek west of Main Street would remove a barrier for wildlife and people. Green infrastructure would improve creek health, filter stormwater pollutants, and mitigate downstream flooding.
Amenities, such as bike rentals, seating, art, and interpretive signage, and trail-side development would create a unique experience. A paved mixed-use trail, and adjacent soft-surface trails, would provide opportunities to enjoy nature and learn about our hydrology. The trail would link neighborhoods to the Utah Transit Authority’s Millcreek TRAX Station and a key transit corridor. Strategic areas for access would provide angling opportunities. Efforts would greatly benefit South Salt Lake, our most culturally diverse city.
Next Steps
Update the Mill Creek Trail Feasibility Study and include an inventory of adjacent parcels to prioritize acquisition.
Partner with Utah Transit Authority and other landowners to link trail through private properties.
Add signage and art in the corridor, such as murals highlighting the creek, and build a brand for the Mill Creek Trail to raise awareness for the vision.
Create a policy that requires (or incentivizes) developers contribute to goals.
Strategies
Connect public and private spaces along the creek with a trail.
Daylight the creek and replace culverted street crossings with bridges, where feasible.
Increase riparian buffer, enhance the urban forest, and create access for fishing and other recreational opportunities.
Sources
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Justice Zones (2021); Wasatch Front Regional Council, Utah Qualified Opportunity Zones (2021); and Utah Automated Geographic Reference Center, Parcels (2021).