SLC.gov

Nov. 17, 2025

Allen Park, located at 1328 Allen Park Drive, will close on Monday, Nov. 17, for approximately four months to allow for the installation of new water and fire lines that will support long-term goals for the park’s restoration.  

Allen Park was acquired by Salt Lake City in 2020. Since then, the City’s Department of Public Lands has been working to enhance and preserve its rich history. 

Developed by George Allen and Ruth Larson Allen in 1931, the park became a destination for art and nature. The couple transformed the property into an aviary and nature sanctuary, which served as a gathering and living space for local artists and academics. Before the City acquired the property, it had gone decades without maintenance. Now, the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands is committed to restoring the park to its full potential. 

The infrastructure project represents the first step in the City’s efforts to revitalize Allen Park. Installing new water and fire lines will ensure the park’s long-term safety, protect nearby homes from fire risk, and provide irrigation for the historic trees and vegetation.  

“This summer, park staff began hand-watering the trees in Allen Park to sustain them,” said Amy Reid, project manager for the Department of Public Lands. “The new water and fire lines are essential to the park’s overall health and future. Without supplemental water, the trees are more vulnerable to drought and disease.”   

Adding fire and water lines is vital to prepare for future improvements at Allen Park, which is slated to begin in 2026. Guided by extensive engagement gathered from the Adaptive Reuse and Management Plan (2024) and the Cultural Landscape Plan (2022), Salt Lake City will upgrade the property into an open, public, pedestrian park that highlights the site’s unique history, preserves and enhances ecological features, repairs the artistic expressions scattered throughout the site, and restores key structures.  

“Allen Park has been incredibly special to community members for years, and Public Lands is committed to approaching this project with respect to the park’s history and the people who built it,” said Reid.   

Phase one of design and construction for Allen Park is funded by $5 million from the 2022 voter-approved Parks, Trails, and Open Space General Obligation Bond and internal City funds for improvements to Emigration Creek.