Salt Lake City voters have the opportunity to vote on the Parks, Trails, and Open Space General Obligation (GO) Bond this November. The proposed bond aims to build upon existing investments to improve the city's public lands system.
If the bond passes, the City intends to fund eight significant projects across Salt Lake City. These project budgets, which include a 20% contingency, total $85 million.
The proposed bond projects were identified using several criteria, including public input, preliminary polling data, and geographic distribution. The selection process also considered the priorities from the 2022 Reimagine Nature Public Lands Master Plan, equity in service levels across the City, and the Mayor’s 2022 Plan.
Key bond opportunities include constructing a new Glendale Regional Park at the former Raging Waters waterpark site on 1700 South to provide amenities to the west side. The plan also includes creating new parks, playgrounds, and trails in the Granary District and Glendale to address the lack of green space in those areas.
Other proposed improvements include updating aged facilities in at least one neighborhood park, trail, or open space per council district, as well as at Allen, Fairmont, and Liberty Parks. The bond also seeks to improve degraded waterways for better water quality and habitat, complete the connection between the Folsom Trail and the Jordan River Parkway Trail, and increase the City's tree canopy and biodiversity with plants adapted to an arid climate.
All projects funded by the bond will involve comprehensive community engagement to determine final designs and implementation plans. The City stated it will seek community feedback before any park, trail, or open space is rebuilt or redesigned.
Information regarding the proposed projects, frequently asked questions, and voting details can be found at SLC
ParksBond.com.
