Public Lands Department

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Public Lands Blog

Salt Lake City to Reopen Section of Jordan River Trail with Improvements

Posted on:July 10th, 2025
Salt Lake City officials will reopen a section of the Jordan River Parkway Trail to the public on Friday, July 11. This stretch of trail has been closed between Cottonwood Park and 700 North since April while city teams and the Salt Lake City Police Department addressed environmental degradation and public safety concerns. Salt Lake […]

Fireworks and Fire Danger

Posted on:July 1st, 2025
Fireworks and Fire Danger Many of the summer’s biggest and brightest celebrations will happen over the 4th of July weekend. Unfortunately, summer holidays—when Salt Lake City residents are most eager to set off fireworks—are also at the peak of dry conditions. “We are very dry right now—we had hotter temperatures much earlier in the year […]

Bonneville Blvd. Trailhead Grand Opening

Posted on:May 28th, 2025
Salt Lake City Creates Improved Access to the Foothills As a way to increase access to the Foothills Natural Area, Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands opened the first of four new trailheads at Bonneville Boulevard, 675 N. Bonneville Blvd on Tuesday. The new trailheads offer welcoming spaces that create an improved and user-friendly experience […]

Memorial Day in the Salt Lake City Cemetery

Posted on:May 21st, 2025
Observing Memorial Day in the Salt Lake City Cemetery Salt Lake City Cemetery is full of history, as the largest municipally owned cemetery in the nation. Over the past 169 years, Salt Lakers have laid their loved ones to rest in this peaceful garden that has come to hold so many treasured memories. Memorial Day […]

Reseeding the Foothills

Posted on:May 12th, 2025
Foothills Ecology: Rehabilitation After Disturbance The Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) Wildfire Mitigation Project brought safer power poles to the Foothills, helping protect Salt Lake City and its Foothills from the threat of wildfire. These upgrades also brought heavy construction equipment to the Foothills, leaving a number of heavily disturbed areas. Fortunately, the RMP Wildfire Mitigation […]

Foothills Wildflowers

Posted on:May 2nd, 2025
Spring wildflowers are filling the Foothills! learn more about what's blooming now.

Jordan River Parkway Trail Temporary Closure

Posted on:April 2nd, 2025
July 10, 2025 Update: The Jordan River Parkway Trail is now open. Read more about what was accomplished during the closure. A section of the Jordan River Trail Parkway between Cottonwood Park and 700 North is temporarily closed for environmental and safety improvements. This temporary closure is part of a larger effort to revitalize this […]

Restoring Native Cacti in our Foothills

Posted on:February 26th, 2025
Bigroot Prickly Pear cacti used to be widespread in our valley. Can we help them make a comeback?

Native Plant Program – Monarchs and Milkweed

Posted on:February 12th, 2025
Monarch populations have been in decline in recent decades due to development, climate change, and other factors. Currently, monarch butterflies are under federal protection and may be added to the threatened species list by the end of 2025.

Social Trails in the Foothills

Posted on:December 30th, 2024
Are “Social Trails” a Problem? Social trails, also known as user-created trails, are found throughout the Foothills. Many of these unofficial trails were formed before active management of the Foothills. Hikers, dogs, and bikers have created routes that shortcut managed trails, follow ridgelines, or lead to viewpoints. So what’s wrong with that? Should You Use […]

Identifying Animal Tracks in Snow

Posted on:December 17th, 2024
Who lives in the Foothills? Fresh snow creates great opportunities to see animal tracks in the snow! Fresh, thin snow is ideal for tracking. If the snow is too dry, it can be blown away, and deeper snow can obscure animal prints. Below are real-life images of common animal tracks we can find right here […]

2024 Volunteer Impact

Posted on:December 2nd, 2024
2024 was an incredible year for our Volunteer Team! We had the opportunity to work with dedicated individuals and amazing groups to benefit public spaces on the Jordan River Trail, up in the Foothills, and at City parks. Foothills Stewardship Series Foothills trails are always in need of maintenance and care! That’s why our Trails […]

Anthracnose Update

Posted on:October 28th, 2024
ANTHRACNOSE UPDATE:Consistent Water & Raking Loose Debris for Healthier Sycamore and London Plane Trees This article discusses the latest insights from Salt Lake City’s Urban Forestry team regarding the ongoing anthracnose outbreak affecting London Plane and Sycamore trees. With proper care, your London Plane and Sycamore trees will be happier and healthier. Throughout the summer, […]

The History & Future of Liberty Park

Posted on:October 28th, 2024
Liberty Park in the Past, and its Future Since its designation as a park 142 years ago, Salt Lake City’s Liberty Park has always been one of Utah’s largest and most visited urban parks. While the Park has evolved gradually, its purpose and integrity have remained. Liberty Park was established during the Victorian Era as […]

Wildlife Awareness Tips

Posted on:October 17th, 2024
Have you seen wildlife when recreating the Foothills? Learn more about how to safely navigate a wildlife encounter.

PFAS & Ski Wax

Posted on:September 13th, 2024
Take a closer look at your ski wax. Could it be harming our health and environment?

Late Summer Wildflowers in the Foothills

Posted on:September 12th, 2024
Craving color on your hike? Late summer wildflowers still offer color and beauty along our trails.

Wasatch Community Gardens

Posted on:July 11th, 2024
Every year Wasatch Community Gardens (WCG) and Salt Lake City Public Lands team up with the common goals of improving access to healthy, organic produce for all Salt Lake City residents..

Native Wetland Plants Protect Water from Algae

Posted on:July 10th, 2024
What do you know about algae? Not all algae are harmful, but some are. How can you know the difference?

Keeping Pickleball Inclusive

Posted on:July 9th, 2024
How can we create a respectful pickleball culture so that our shared courts remain inclusive and open to all?

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