Foothills Project Process
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In 2020, the Salt Lake City Council requested an evaluation of the Foothills Plan after public concerns regarding trail-building impacts were raised. The City’s administration determined that a holistic evaluation of the Plan would ensure that future implementation phases would meet the Plan’s vision and goals. In February 2024, Salt Lake City Public Lands completed its evaluation and shared its findings with the public.
What is the evaluation?
The evaluation is a document created by third-party consultants who specialize in recreation and trail management that provided Salt Lake City with a thorough analysis of the Foothills Plan and the City’s initial implementation of the Plan. It has also provided essential recommendations that Public Lands will incorporate into future Foothills Plan implementation efforts.
These recommendations help Salt Lake City provide a more balanced and environmentally sensitive planning process, and they include:
- Adopting a zone-by-zone planning and implementation process
- Adopting a segment-by-segment trail planning and implementation process
- Developing consistent communications strategies
- Prioritizing the maintenance of existing trails
- Developing a unified wayfinding system
- Increasing trail data collection to inform decision making
- Developing management plans alongside each zone
Has Salt Lake City approved project and maintenance in the Foothills before receiving approval from the City Council?
Salt Lake City has conducted routine maintenance and existing trail restoration on City-owned land throughout the Foothills over the past three years, as allowed by the City Council in 2021.
Salt Lake City has not initiated or approved any new trail construction in the Foothills. Salt Lake City Council and Administration only have jurisdiction on city-owned land.
Why is a trail restoration project happening in the George’s Hollow and Living Room Trail area?
The lands encompassing the George’s Hollow and the Living Room Trail area are not owned by Salt Lake City and it is not a City project. Because the University of Utah and the US Forest Service are the landowners of this project, it does not require City Council, Mayor or staff approval and does not use city funds or resources.
At this time, a joint land management agreement between all Foothills public landowners (Salt Lake City Public Utilities, the US Forest Service, the University of Utah, Utah State Parks) does not exist. However, the Public Lands Department has already initiated the participation of these agencies in the creation of a joint agreement that would inform future management. Until then, Salt Lake City Public Lands has no jurisdiction over projects and land management practices on non-City-owned land. Landowners may proceed with their projects and trail maintenance without SLC Public Lands approval or input.
The George’s Hollow/Living Room Trail area is one of the most visited locations in the Foothills due to its proximity to the Natural History Museum, University of Utah, and popularity on trail apps. In this case, the City provided a letter of support for the George’s Hollow Project because it addresses significant safety concerns related to environmental degradation, old construction, and lack of maintenance or signage in the area.
To learn more about the George’s Hollow/Living Room Trail project, visit TrailsUtah.org.