Pioneer Park Improvements

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Project Description

In 2019, Salt Lake City Council approved $3.44 million in impact fee funding for Pioneer Park and in August 2022, approved an additional $10 million from a $67.5 million Sales Tax Bond. In August 2024 an additional $4.96 million was added to the park budget to substantially implement both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Vision Plan. This funding will be used to substantially implement the Pioneer Park Vision Plan, including a new playground, plaza, pavilion, ranger station, “shade lawn,” mist fountain, 6 pickleball courts, fenced off-leash dog area, basketball court, and natural habitat area. Design is underway through early summer 2025 with construction to follow.

Project Details

Project Location

350 South 300 West

Project Manager

Nancy Monteith

Email

nancy.monteith@slc.gov

Project Status

Active

Vision Overview

The 2021 Pioneer Park Vision Plan directly incorporates input gained from the public, including hearing from more than 1,000 people at events, 1,800 online survey responses and 19 stakeholder meetings and workshops. Click here to read the full survey results report.

Read the Survey Results

Based on this public input, the Pioneer Park – Your Downtown Park Vision Plan objectives were developed to ensure the park:

Design Process Overview

In 2024, the design team:

Consulted with Salt Lake City’s Urban Forestry team to assess the health of the existing trees and develop an implementation plan that prioritizes protection of healthy trees. They refined a planting strategy to increase tree canopy by planting over 80 new trees while accommodating the new, publicly desired amenities identified in the Vision Plan.
Met with the Downtown Alliance and special events to refine the site design compatibility with events.
Developed a site lighting plan with energy efficient LED fixtures to increase light levels which improve security and provide better wayfinding while minimizing light trespass outside the park to avoid impacts to area residents.
Conducted youth engagement at the Gateway Children’s Museum in May to solicit input on the preferred playground equipment.

Initiated the process for Sustainable SITES certification for the park. The Sustainable SITES Certification process provides a comprehensive framework for designing, developing and managing sustainable and resilient landscapes and other outdoor spaces. SITES-certified projects help reduce water demand, filter and reduce stormwater runoff, enhance biodiversity, provide pollinator and wildlife habitat, reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, improve human health, increase outdoor recreation opportunities and much more.
Presented to the Historic Landmarks Commission in August. Pioneer Park is listed on the National Register and is a local landmark site in Salt Lake City. This work session helped confirm that the Phase 1 amenities and design maintain a sense of time and place and enable the public to interpret the historic character of the site. Proposed improvements are consistent with recommendations in the Pioneer Park Cultural Landscape Report.

Project Renderings

Salt Lake City and its consultant team are pleased to share the refined schematic design implementing the vision plan. The concept maintains the multi-use field, added in the last phase of Pioneer Park improvements in 2019, and adds other opportunities for active play with basketball and pickleball courts, an all-ages playground and an enhanced dog-park. Connections to nature come in the form of shaded lawn, native plantings, and tree groves.