Salt Lake County plays a significant role in the regional landscape, providing essential services and managing large-scale public assets that residents of Draper utilize. One notable example of county-managed infrastructure is Wheadon Farm Regional Park, located within Draper. This 64-acre parcel of land was a working farm from the early 1900s until 1997, when Gene Wheadon donated the land to Utah Open Lands, a non-profit trust conservation association dedicated to preserving and protecting open space. Salt Lake County purchased the land from Utah Open Space in 2008, agreeing to comply with the established conservation easement. Although the county presented plans for the park at a Draper City council meeting in 2009, funding fell short at that time. However, in 2012, the county passed a Parks and Trails Bond, which designated $6 million for the development of the park. Today, the park features various amenities, including a large farm-themed custom playground, a play barn, a climbing haystack, and pickleball courts where lights remain on until 11 PM. The park also includes a loop trail system with a pedestrian bridge over the Jordan Canal and interpretive signage regarding the history of Wheadon Farm and its modern on-site urban farming program.
Beyond recreational management, the county provides critical administrative and legal frameworks that influence local land use. Historical county zoning maps have helped determine the legal status of various properties. For instance, according to a 1973 Salt Lake County Zoning Map, certain properties were designated as CV (Commercial), a zone created by the County on June 12, 1971. These historical designations are often used in administrative interpretations to determine if structures or uses are legal nonconforming or have been abandoned. For example, under Draper City Municipal Code, a nonconforming use that has not been occupied for a continuous period of one year is deemed abandoned and cannot be reoccupied unless it conforms to current requirements. This intersection of county history and city code helps define how local businesses and residential areas operate.
County officials also hold significant legal roles that extend into the judicial and prosecutorial spheres. Michael Green, a Draper Council Member, serves as a Special Deputy District Attorney for Salt Lake County. His professional background includes handling a variety of legal issues, and his service to the county is alongside his roles as a Draper Emergency Preparedness Committee member and a representative to the Jordan River Commission. The county's influence is felt through these various legal, zoning, and recreational roles, ensuring that land is preserved and community infrastructure is maintained for the long term.
What this means for Draper
For Draper residents, Salt Lake County provides essential recreational spaces like Wheadon Farm and maintains the historical zoning records that dictate local land use. Furthermore, county officials and legal officers influence the regional legal landscape, impacting how local businesses and property rights are managed through various administrative and prosecutorial roles.
