Salt Lake City is exploring creative funding alternatives, including sponsorships and public-private partnerships, to finance a vision plan for Liberty Park that could cost upwards of $41 million over the next decade. City officials presented the plan to the Salt Lake City Council on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, noting that the park's aging infrastructure requires significant investment to maintain its popularity among the city's residents.
A Multi-Phase Vision for Liberty Park
The proposed vision plan, which was developed following a two-year cultural landscape report and public engagement involving more than 1,000 people, outlines a multi-phase approach to upgrading the historic park. According to Salt Lake City Public Lands staff, the total cost to fully implement the vision is estimated to fall between $36.3 million and $40.9 million. The project aims to address maintenance needs and identify opportunities to enhance the park as it approaches its 150th anniversary.
Phased Implementation and Costs
The implementation of these upgrades is expected to occur in stages over several years. Initial signature projects and deferred maintenance are projected to cost between $10.8 million and $13.1 million, with work potentially carried over through the next five years as funding becomes available. A second phase, expected to occur within the next five to 10 years, is estimated to cost between $3.2 million and $4.4 million.
Long-Term Environmental Goals
The final and most expensive phase of the plan involves converting nonfunctional grass to water-wise meadows and other long-term enhancements. This phase is expected to cost between $22.3 million and $23.4 million, though officials do not expect to begin these works until beyond the next decade. Kathrine Andra, a senior planning strategist for Salt Lake City Public Lands, stated that the park was a high priority for a vision plan due to its significant usage and popularity.
Exploring Alternative Revenue
As the city faces rising costs, leaders are looking for ways to fund these improvements without relying solely on taxpayers. Salt Lake City Council Chairman Alejandro Puy suggested that the city explore naming rights, sponsorships, and other partnerships to enhance taxpayer dollars. Puy noted that while the city might be reinventing the wheel, similar models have been successfully used in other cities across the country.
Public-Private Partnerships
Kathryn Sonntag, an associate landscape architect for the department, noted that the city could seek grants from county, state, and federal governments, or increase revenue through new sponsors and concessionaires. Sonntag specifically highlighted the park's historic greenhouse as a candidate for a public-private partnership, suggesting it could serve as a venue for education or events to help establish a new funding pattern for the city's parks.
Budgetary Constraints
The push for new funding comes as city leaders navigate existing budget pressures. Salt Lake City recently adopted a 12.5% property tax increase during its latest budget to address rising costs. Salt Lake City Council Vice Chairwoman Erika Carlsen emphasized the necessity of additional support, stating that the park's high level of use and the need for future planning will require varied types of funding to maintain what is currently in the vision plan.
High Park Usage
Liberty Park remains a central hub for the community, attracting significant foot traffic. According to studies conducted by the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands, approximately 7,000 visitors visit the park on weekdays, with numbers rising to nearly 11,000 on Saturdays and Sundays. Proposed upgrades include adding new riparian vegetation to the park pond, a new boardwalk for birdwatching, and a new path to supplement the informal trails already created by visitors.
