— Quick Links —
Project Description
The Emerald Ribbon Action Plan is an ambitious vision for the future of the Jordan River, the Jordan River Parkway Trail, and the many city-owned parklands that surround them in Salt Lake City. The ten miles of urban river corridor that cut through the city’s Westside neighborhoods are intertwined with the city’s history and growth from a natural river (one of four that flow into the Great Salt Lake), to the city’s industrial heart, to a vibrant hub of immigration from around the world. The West Side has seen immense transformation in the last one hundred years. The Jordan River has been at the heart of all of it.
At the core of the vision for the Emerald Ribbon is the idea that if we sustain nature, nature will sustain us, fostering a system of care that can span generations. This framework evolved from the community’s repeated desire to see a more comprehensive approach to care on the Jordan River corridor. Through the planning process, the community’s interest in centering the natural environment was clear. The interwoven concepts of Nature, Culture, and Care serve as the underlying approach to the Action Plan
Project Details
Project Location
Jordan River Corridor
Project Manager
Makaylah Maponga
makaylah.maponga@slc.gov
Project Status
Finalizing First Draft of the Action Plan
Community Engagement
The project progressed through three phases, each offering opportunities for public engagement in shaping the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan.
Phase 1, “Begin the Journey” aimed to understand past plans, data, maps, and assesed the corridor’s current conditions. This stage also kicked-off the project. Explore the reports below to learn about the findings from this stage:
- Phase One Community Engagement Summary (English)
- Phase One Community Engagement Summary (Spanish)
- Existing Conditions Full Report (English)
- Existing Conditions- Snapshot (English)
- Condiciones Existentes de Emerald Ribbon (Spanish)
Phase 2, “Dream Big” developed the guiding principles, presented concept alternatives, and identified the character and use. Read the documents below to learn what we heard and materials presented in this phase:
- Phase Two Community Engagement Summary (English)
- Phase Two Community Engagement Summary (Spanish)
- Public Engagement Materials March 2024- Concepts
Phase 3, “Create a Road Map” finalizes the corridor concept plan, evaluates recommendations, and develops a stewardship strategy. Click the documents below to learn what we discovered in this stage:
Project Updates
The First Draft is Almost Here!
The first draft of the Action Plan will be available in Winter 2024-2025 after a year of collaboration with residents, stakeholders, and city staff. It is the city’s game plan to improve the corridor through 2035, including how to spend $9 million from the SLC Parks Bond.
About the Plan
What is the “Emerald Ribbon”?
The “Emerald Ribbon” is a term used to describe a future vision of the Jordan River Corridor that is healthy, thriving, and meets all the needs and desires of the community. It gives the City and other stakeholders a collective goal to work towards. The Emerald Ribbon is our dream for the Jordan River.
What is an Action Plan?
The Action Plan will determine a community vision for the Jordan River corridor, and it will also provide a roadmap for Salt Lake City to achieve that vision. This includes recommendations for policy, guidelines for how the river should be maintained, and a schedule for improvements over the next decade.
Why is the City doing this project?
The 2022 Reimagine Nature Plan made it clear that it is a priority for the Salt Lake City community to restore and enhance natural habitats on the river, create more welcoming and activated spaces, and foster places for community gathering along the Jordan River Parkway. To support that work, Salt Lake City voters approved the SLC Parks Bond in November 2022, $9 million of which is allocated specifically for Jordan River improvements. The Emerald Ribbon Action Plan will determine how to prioritize future investments on the Jordan River Corridor.
When did this project start? When will it be complete?
The Emerald Ribbon Action Plan project began in July 2023. The Plan will be completed by end of 2024.
I live near the river. How will this affect me?
This Plan will be driven by community input. Your opinions are valuable for determining the future of the Jordan River, so please get involved in developing the Plan! Following completion of the Plan in late 2024, stay in touch with SLC Public Lands to see the projects from the Action Plan come to life.
Image Gallery
