Salt Lake City

Public Lands Department

publiclands@slcgov.com

Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park

About the Park

Nestled among residential housing near Sunnyside Ave, Miller Park Bird Refuge is one of Trails and Natural Lands’ biggest parks and projects. It was recently reconstructed to bring a section of degraded riparian habitat back to a healthy ecosystem with natural function. This included planting native vegetation, attracting more wildlife, and allowing for optimal conditions for improved public access to wildlife watching and passive recreation. Restoring the critical habitat zones and improving water quality were implemented with best management practices identified in the 2010 Riparian Corridor Study. The refuge includes two large loops, with the total park amounting to 8.75 acres. It also has a significant history associated with it, dating back to the construction of the stairs and bridges by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

Please Note: Dogs are not allowed off-leash in the park, in order to improve plant and wildlife habitat.

Celebrate the beauty of our Public Lands while fostering community connection and responsibility. Dive into the diverse parks and open spaces our city boasts and join us in making our shared outdoor spaces more vibrant and cherished.

Park Rangers can provide more information about the Be WILD campaign. They’ll help connect you with volunteer opportunities, understand trail and park etiquette, and welcome you to new spaces in your neighborhood.

Park History

In 1935 Minnie Miller donated the land of Miller Park to Salt Lake City in 1935 in honor of her late husband, Lee Charles Miller. She hoped the land would be preserved as a sanctuary for both wildlife and children.

When visiting the park, you will notice beautiful, old masonry throughout the entire park. The masonry walls, chairs, benches, stairways, and footbridge were constructed by the WPA, an organization that provided work for the unemployed during the Great Depression. These works remain in great form to this day. 

In 2010, a 33,600-gallon crude-oil spill was carried through Red Butte Creek, significantly impacting Miller Park. This event prompted the restoration of the streambed and streambank and introduction of native flora and the removal of invasive species. The Red Butte Creek is the central feature of Miller Park, with trails that traverse the route of the creek.

 The verdant streamside covers only 0.4% of Utah’s total land yet provides food and nesting for over 75% of all Utah’s bird species. The native vegetation in Miller Park, such as river hawthorn, supports many birds, including black-chinned hummingbirds, downy woodpeckers, and ruby-crowned kinglets.

 

Park Videos