Salt Lake residents have opportunity to shape new parks
Sugar House Park could soon lose the title of “largest city park.” In February, the Salt Lake City Council voted to repurpose Glendale Golf Course, a underused 160-acre golf course in the Glendale neighborhood in Salt Lake City’s west side. The golf course is twice the size of Liberty Park and 50 acres larger than Sugar House. If the City decides to repurpose the Glendale Golf Course into a public park, it would become the City’s new largest.
The City is reaching out to the public through the new Parks, Trails and Open Space Initiative to help determine appropriate uses for potential public parks. The Initiative will help the City assess what residents value most about parks, trails and open space through a series of open houses and an online survey.
“We now have a new opportunity as a community develop a once-in-a-generation plan for revitalizing and dramatically expanding our Parks, Trails and Open Space offerings,” said Salt Lake City, Mayor Ralph Becker in a City press release. “One of the features that make Salt Lake City so special is our unique quality of life. Unlike other cities in the country Salt Lake City offers close proximity to nature and the cultural offerings of a dynamic urban setting.”
The Glendale Golf Course is one of two courses to close that the City is considering for new park space. The City Council voted last year to close the Jordan River Par 3 Golf Course in Rose Park.
According to the Mayor’s Office, “Both courses can provide amazing new open space opportunities for the City.”
The City officially launched the Initiative at a May 7th press event at the 9th South Constructed Wetlands. At the event, Mayor Becker, Councilman Rogers and a group of residents arrived via canoe ride on the Jordan River. The trip was to highlight current park amenities that could be enhanced through the Parks, Trails and Open Space Initiative.
The City will hold eight public open houses throughout the month of May starting with an open house Thursday, May 14 from 4-7 p.m. at the Sunnyside Park Pavilion, 1735 E. Sunnyside Avenue.
