Pioneer Park Improvements

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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.

Design is nearing completion and construction anticipated to begin in Fall 2025. This construction timing allows for the Downtown Farmer’s Market to remain in the park during the hottest summer months and times construction to occur during the season of lowest park use.

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.

Project Details

Project Location

350 South 300 West

Project Manager

Nancy Monteith

Email

nancy.monteith@slc.gov

Project Status

Active

Vision Plan Updates

Final project design is nearing completion. Check out the new amenities planned for construction beginning in Fall 2025. These renderings show how the community supported vision plan will come to life.

The following items are fully funded:

Pavilion
Restroom, Ranger, & Maintenance Building
Inclusive & Accessible Playground
Promenade
Mist Fountain Plaza
Pickleball Courts
Basketball Court
Dog park
Ornamental plantings
Interpretive signage

To learn more about the community engagement process and the development of the Vision Plan, click the link below.

Vision Plan Presentation

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.