Category Archives: Green Spaces

S-Line Greenway Grand Opening: POSTPONED

SLCgreen message (6/6/2014): We just received word that this event has been postponed. Stay tuned for updated information.

SLineGreenwayGrandOpeningYou’re invited to the grand opening of the new S-Line Greenway in Salt Lake City!

Come celebrate the opening of Salt Lake City’s newest public space. The S-Line Greenway is a mile-long linear park running parallel to the streetcar line from 500 East to McClelland Street. The greenway features public art, plazas and a multi-modal segment of Parley’s Trail.

10 a.m. Grand Opening Press Conference (S-Line at 800 East)
Featuring Mayor Ralph Becker. The Mayor and other partners will mark the opening of the greenway with a ceremonial planting.

6 & 7 p.m. Community Greenway Walk (Sugarmont Plaza)
Come celebrate the Greenway with an interpretive walk with the corridor’s artists, designers and community partners. Walks will depart from the Farmer’s Market at Sugarmont Plaza (2232 S. Highland) at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m.

We’ll see you there!

It’s Time to “Get into the River!” — Festival on May 31

GetintoRiverEvent

Come celebrate the Jordan River on Saturday, May 31st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is a great opportunity to learn about the animals and habitats supported by the river and how communities and individuals are enjoying it each and every day.

Both educational and recreational demonstrations during the festivities.

Bring your bikes, strollers or walking shoes and experience the Jordan River Parkway!

What: Get into the River Festival

When: Saturday, May 31st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Where: Jordan Park (900 West 1000 South)

More Information: GetintotheRiver.org. 

Download the schedule of events (PDF)

Purge Your Spurge & Annual Plant Sale

Got myrtle spurge? Get rid of it!

It’s time to Purge Your Spurge!
Saturday, May 3
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
REI (3285 E 3300 S)

Participate in a Purge your Spurge community weed pull, and receive a voucher good for 5 free native plants and 2 raffle tickets. Enter to win awesome prizes from our donors.

This year’s donations are from: Alta Ski Area, Snowbird, Black Diamond Equipment, Ace Hardware, Christy Sports, and Beans and Brews.

This nasty non-native weed has invaded our foothills and canyons. Purge spurge from your garden, or join us for a community weed pull to make an even bigger dent in the invasion.

Bag up your spurge, bring it down to the Salt Lake REI, and get free plants.

Need more plants? Don’t forget to stock up and support a good cause by purchasing from our waterwise plant sale! We’ll have a great selection of low cost perennials and grasses again this year.

Review the guidelines for collecting your myrtle spurge at PurgeyourSpruge.org.

Questions? Contact Salt Lake County Operations (385) 468-6101.

Photo Credit: Tony Frates

2012 Purge Your Spurge event. Photo Credit: Tony Frates

Rotary Glen Restoration is Underway

Watershed restoration at Rotary Glen Park is underway!

Emigration Creek is one of the many tributaries of the Jordan River and the home to the Bonneville cutthroat trout (which is on Utah’s sensitive species list). The quality of its water is critical to help maintain a healthy watershed for people, fish and other wildlife.

In 2002, Emigration Creek was declared an impaired waterway due to high levels of the bacteria E. coli. Bacteria levels are highest in the summer months due to waste from park visitors’ canine companions and warmer temperatures.

The restoration plan is to:

  • Improve water quality by installing a fence along the southeast edge of the pond to keep dogs and people out of the creek.
  • Enhance habitat—which is critical for migratory and native bird species—by replacing Siberian elms with native foliage like cottonwood trees.
  • Address public safety and stabilize the hill with slope grading and new vegetation planting.

Fun Restoration Fact: What is the benefit of planting vegetation along the water’s edge? Vegetation creates a buffer for people and dogs, keeps the water in the creek cool by shading, and filters bacteria from runoff.

Come springtime Rotary Glen Park will once again be a safe urban sanctuary for you to picnic, bring your dogs (their poop bags, too), and enjoy nature.

RotaryGlenHere’s a recent photo of the work that is underway.

If you are like us, you might be wondering why the workers are filling the pond behind the dam with dirt.

We asked a County employee, who explained that in order for the heavy equipment to access the other side of the creek, workers have to first move the dirt to create a platform for the backhoe and then grade the slope.

Can’t wait to see the project when it’s done!

New Signs Coming to Salt Lake Parks

ParksSignOpenHouseSalt Lake City is seeking public input on the creation of a new, citywide signage system for public spaces and invites residents to an open house event on Thursday, January 23rd from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre at the Sorenson Unity Center, 1383 S. 900 West.

Salt Lake City is home to one of the most diverse parks and open space systems in the nation.

From steep foothills to parkway trails tracing the Jordan River, the City’s open spaces help define the community’s quality of life.

In order to enhance the user experience and stewardship of these spaces, Landmark Design, Inc. was selected to lead planning and design efforts toward the creation of a comprehensive signage system for the City’s parks, natural lands and trails.

The purpose of the project is twofold: (1) establish a plan that outlines the signage standards for enhancing the user experience, and then (2) create the design of specific signs for nine sites below:

  • Bonneville Shoreline Preserve
  • Bonneville Shoreline Trail
  • Ensign Peak Trail
  • Hidden Hollow Natural Area
  • H-Rock Open Space
  • Jordan River Parkway
  • Miller Park Bird Refuge
  • Parley’s Historic Nature Park
  • Wasatch Hollow Open Space

This is the first of three public meetings scheduled during winter/spring 2014 for the public to review progress and provide input on this project.

Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to weigh in on the future of our flagship parks and open spaces!

More Information

Walking in a Winter Wonderland!

Take a virtual winter stroll through Salt Lake City’s Hidden Hollow Park with these awesome tours, courtesy of the Open Space Program.

Click on the images below to begin your virtual tour!

walkingtour

Hidden Hollow Winter Walk (A) by jpete on Photosynth Continue reading →

Film Screening: The City Dark

Thursday, October 24 at 7:00 p.m.
Broadway Centre Cinemas (111 E 300 S)
Suggested donation of $5-10

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1fTkF8PIu0&w=560&h=315]

Join KUED and the Utah Society for Environmental Education for a FREE film screening of The City Dark.

Is darkness becoming extinct?

When filmmaker Ian Cheney moves from rural Maine to New York City and discovers streets awash in light and skies devoid of stars, he embarks on a journey to America’s brightest and darkest corners, asking astronomers, cancer researchers and ecologists what is lost in the glare of city lights.

Blending a humorous, searching narrative with poetic footage of the night sky, The City Dark provides a fascinating introduction to the science of the dark and an exploration of our relationship to the stars.

A panel discussion will follow.

Weigh in on Proposed Upgrades in Liberty Park

20111023_4589...Liberty Park in Salt Lake City

Dave Beedon (listorama) via Flickr

Liberty Park & Tracy Aviary Site Design Workshop

Thursday October 24 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Tracy Aviary Education Center inside Liberty Park (589 East 1300 South)

Salt Lake City and The Friends of Tracy Aviary are partnering to re-purpose the land in Liberty Park surrounding the concession stand, including the vacant land adjacent to the Aviary and the amusement park ride area of the Park.

Tracy Aviary will build a Tropical Rain Forest building/exhibit on approximately 50% of the vacant space adjacent to the Aviary, and the City would like to facilitate community input for ideas about how to enhance this west entrance to the park and utilize the remaining space in the future.

A Site Planning Workshop to explore these issues is scheduled for Thursday October 24 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at Tracy Aviary’s Education Center.

Continue reading →

As the Heat Rolls In, Be Water Wise

waterwiselandscape

With snow levels and spring run-off below average again this year, Salt Lake City Public Utilities is calling on its water customers to be watchful in regards to water use, avoiding both overwatering and water waste. Here are a few tips:

Sprinklers

  • Make sure sprinklers water the grass, and not patios or cement.
  • Check for clogged sprinkler heads and be sure to clear them out. Clogged heads will not evenly distribute water on your lawn and waste water.
  • Register for a free sprinkler check, which will include a catch cup test. The test evaluates the evenness of your watering system and will help you set up an effective and personalized irrigation schedule.

Other Tips for a Healthy Lawn

  • Healthy lawns should be watered deeply and infrequently so roots go down deep.
  • The higher you leave the grass, the healthier the lawn. Leave it about 2-3 inches high. This will ensure your lawn has a deeper root system.
  • Keep grass clippings on the lawn – they act like mulch to keep moister in and send nutrients back into your soil.

Don’t Forget Your Trees

It’s important to remember that trees have different watering needs than your lawn. Here are some helpful tips from Salt Lake City Urban Forestry (PDF). Also check out their list of Water Wise Trees (PDF).

Conserve Indoors

tapWaterWEBConserving water doesn’t stop outside! Here are some tips for water conservation indoors:

  • Only run the dishwasher when it is full.
  • Set your washing machine to the appropriate load size.
  • Don’t run the water while brushing your teeth, shaving or lathering your hands.
  • Store a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for drinking so you don’t have to let the faucet run for cold water.
  • Don’t use the toilet as a trash can (NEVER flush medications down the toilet!)

More tips from Salt Lake City’s Water Conservation program.

Landscape

  • Tips for a water wise landscape program:
    1. Analysis, Planning and Design. 
    2. Soil Improvement. Soil amendment helps correct poor water infiltration, percolation and drainage. Common amendments include compost, decomposed leaves or pine druff, manures or utelite.
    3. Efficient Irrigation. Match the amount of water supplied to your plant’s needs, group plants together according to their water needs. Turf should be irrigated separately.
    4. Limit Turf Areas. 
    5. Use Mulch. Mulch buffers soils against climate extremes.
    6. Use Low Water Demand Plants. 
    7. Maintain. Your garden will require extra maintenance before your plants fill in and establish themselves. Once that happens, demands decrease, plants require less water and weeds are crowded out.
  • Learn more about this process and access a list of Water Wise plants from Salt Lake City Public Utilities Water Conservation program.