Salt Lake City is developing a Cultural Landscape Report and Vision Plan to guide the preservation and future use of Liberty Park. The project, which was identified as a priority in the Reimagine Nature Master Plan, is being conducted by Mundus Bishop Design, Inc. with guidance from Salt Lake City Public Lands staff.
The Cultural Landscape Report is intended to analyze and record the historical significance, features, and current condition of the Liberty Park landscape. This document will examine the park's cultural heritage, landforms, and historical changes over time.
Using the findings from the report alongside community input and city goals, a 10-year Vision Plan will be developed. This plan will focus on preserving historically significant aspects of the park and establishing implementation strategies to meet accessibility and sustainability standards.
Liberty Park is the oldest park in Utah and was first listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The city purchased the 100-acre property from the Brigham Young Estate on April 20, 1881, for $27,000.
The land was originally a farm owned by Isaac Chase. The Isaac Chase Mill, a grist mill located on the site, remains the only grist mill in Salt Lake City still in its original location and is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The project timeline includes the development of the Cultural Landscape Report from the fall of 2024 through the fall of 2025. The Vision Plan is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025 and be completed by the end of 2026.
