Pioneer Park Improvements | Public Lands Department

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Project Background

In 2019, Salt Lake City Council approved $3.44 million in impact fee funding for Pioneer Park and in 2021, a community supported Pioneer Park Vision Plan was developed. In 2022, Council approved the Vision Plan and an additional $10 million from a $67.5 million Sales Tax Bond. In 2024 the Council approved an additional $4.96 million so that both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Vision Plan could be substantially implemented.

The project will maintain the multi-use field, added in 2019, and add community-desired opportunities for active play with basketball and pickleball courts, a new all-ages playground and an enhanced dog-park. Connections to nature come in the form of shaded lawn, native plantings, and tree groves. New restrooms, ranger station, iconic pavilion and event power provide needed infrastructure for the community to host events in the park.

Project Details

Project Location

350 South 300 West

Project Manager

Nancy Monteith

Email

[email protected]

Project Status

Active

Construction Update (February 2026)

Construction is expected to begin in March 2026! Click the “Sign Up For Updates!” button at the top of the page to stay up to date as construction progresses.

The north half of the park will be closed to the public during construction. Early work includes excavation and construction of underground items like pipe, footings for poles and structures, and concrete path and promenade installation. Construction is expected to be completed in late 2026.

View the Project Renderings at the bottom of this page to see the planned improvements and new amenities that will better serve the downtown neighborhood and visitors in the future.

Salt Lake City is pursuing sustainable SITES certification for the park. 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.

Downtown Farmer’s Market Update

As Pioneer Park undergoes improvements, the market will continue to operate every Saturday, June 6 through October 24, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vendors will be reconfigured to work seamlessly around construction. We appreciate your patience and continued support.

For more information about the Downtown Farmers Market, please visit slcfarmersmarket.org.

Design Process Overview

In 2024-2025, 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 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. 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.