Currents on the Jordan River:
Summer 2023
Welcome to our Summer 2023 Updates on the
Jordan River!
Salt Lake City Public Lands has many ongoing projects to preserve and enhance the Jordan River Corridor. These projects aim to restore wildlife habitat and native vegetation, increase accessibility, improve water quality and river function, build community, and activate recreational opportunities. This quarterly blog will serve as a central location for all Public Lands projects, events, volunteer opportunities, and more along the Jordan River.
Thanks to all who have early summer days at the Jordan River playing, learning, growing, exploring, recharging, and volunteering.
Moving forward, look out for these quarterly updates on all things Jordan River!
Submit your email address below to receive updates about this series and other Jordan River projects.
Announcements and Highlights
Emerald Ribbon Master Plan
The Emerald Ribbon Master Plan is kicking off with a community story map! This live, interactive story map will capture the features, places, and memories that make the Jordan River a special place to be. Complete a short questionnaire on your place (include a photo!) and see it appear on the map for everyone in the community.
In November 2022, Salt Lake City residents voted on the Parks, Trails, and Open Space Bond. The bond will fund eight significant projects which included approximately $9 million on improvements to the Jordan River Corridor. To learn all about the bond, visit SLCParksBond.com.
Water Trail Clean Up
Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands has dedicated funds to remove certain trees and other organic matter and debris waste from the Jordan River Water Trail corridor to enhance safe and accessible non-motorized watercraft navigation while minimizing bank erosion and strengthening bank stability.
The Salt Lake City segment of the Jordan River (approx. 2100 South to 2400 North) currently has years’ worth of deferred maintenance in its water corridor and the City is eager to complete this task for the health of our environment and communities.
Clean up of the water trail began in the summer of 2022 and remains ongoing. Click below to see all the latest updates.
Three Creeks Playground
Three Creeks Confluence has a new playground! The previous play area was removed and replaced with a new nature playground includes climbing rocks, ropes, and logs. Public Lands is hoping to incorporate similar nature playgrounds in our other natural areas along the river and throughout the city.
Jordan River Currents Art Installation
This fall, look out for the new artwork to be installed at the four Jordan River boat ramps! These 8-ft steel fish will be installed at Riverview, Gadsby, Fisher Mansion, and Glendale. Click here to learn more about this awesome Arts Council project!
Upcoming Events
Jordan River BioBlitz
August 16th, 6-8pm. Meeting at Poplar Grove Park
SLC Public Lands has partnered with Hogle Zoo and the Mayor’s Office to host a BioBlitz around the Jordan River. The event is free and will be held on August 16th from 6 to 8 pm starting at Popular Grove Park. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn about the biodiversity at the Jordan River and for people to share with us how we can improve the space. Please feel free to share the attached image with your network or anyone that may be interested. If you would like to attend the event, please RSVP using the button below.
Fisher Mansion Beer Garden
September 9th and 10th, 12pm to 8pm at the Fisher Mansion
Salt Lake City Events and Fisher Brewing Company present Fisher Mansion Beer Garden! Come enjoy two afternoons of bike riding down the Jordan River Parkway Trail, frosty beverages from Fisher Brewing, food from local food trucks, yard games, and live music! All ages welcome and admission is FREE!
*You must be 21+ years of age and show a valid ID to purchase beer within the event*
Please consider biking to this event via the scenic Jordan River Parkway Trail. The Salt Lake City Bicycle Collective will have bike valet on site. Don’t forget to check out Archuleta Bridge just north of the Mansion!
Volunteer and Stewardship Opportunities
Interested in getting involved? The Volunteer Programs Team is developing stewardship groups promote the ecological health, safety, and accessibility of the river through year-round community engagement.
To get involved, email paula.covas-lugo@slcgov.com or leave your email below.
Other City Highlights
Kayak Court: Resources for Unsheltered Community Members
Kayak Court is a collaborative outreach effort that brings court services directly to our unsheltered neighbors living along the Jordan River. Kayak Court is centered around the values of Public Service, Compassion, Safety, Cooperation, Adaptability and Access to Justice. It’s an effort that would not be possible without support from a variety of partners including the Salt Lake City Justice Court, SLC Homeless Engagement and Response Team, Jordan River Commission, GREENbike, Ruff Haven, Volunteers of America Utah, Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association, Salt Lake City Prosecutors, Private attorneys, volunteer social workers, and a variety of divisions within the City. In addition to resolving cases, this outreach effort breaks down access barriers to court services as well as builds trust. You can learn more about Kayak Court here.
Love your Block
Love Your Block has been a two-year initiative at Salt Lake City. The program provides mini-grants to Westside residents, businesses, and organizations to support neighborhood revitalization through volunteer-led projects, one block at a time. The Westside neighborhoods of focus for Love Your Block include Glendale, Poplar Grove, Fairpark, Rose Park, Jordan Meadows, and Westpointe. The goal for each project is to improve residents’ quality of life, promote community engagement, and address/support a neighborhood concern or initiative. Each project was imagined and applied for by community members, and neighborhood volunteers helped implement each of the selected projects through a day of service. See below for a summary of all of the work accomplished through the Love Your Block program!
Active Projects
Public Lands always has active projects along the Jordan River Corridor! Click the links below for more information about our other projects:
- 9Line Community Orchard
- Backman Open Space
- Bilingual Community Parks Signage & Wayfinding
- Glendale Regional Park Master Plan and Phase 1
- Poplar Grove Sportcourt Replacement
- Westside Trail Connections and Amenities at Jordan Park