Taufer Park : GO Bond Project
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Project Description
Taufer Park is a Salt Lake City neighborhood park located in District 4 in the heart of downtown. Taufer Park was selected as one of the Reimagine Neighborhood Parks to receive funding from the Parks, Trails, & Open Space General Obligation Bond (GO Bond), approved in November 2022. Neighborhood parks funded by the GO Bond aim to invest and activate underutilized parks to increase access to green spaces and quality parks.
The vision and desired usage of the park will be guided by the input we collect when we conduct community engagement. The completed project will feature new and improved amenities that are prioritized by residents and celebrate the community this park serves. Construction is anticipated by Summer 2025 but could be subject to change.
Project Details
Project Location
680 S 300 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Project Manager
Tom Millar
Tom.Millar@slc.gov
Project Status
Project Design & Document Review.
Community Engagement
Previous Community Engagement
In January 2020, a Public Lands Needs Assessment survey was completed asking general questions about desired amenities and opportunities for improvement within the park. SLC Public Lands will use the information gathered from the survey to build on future engagement and develop the vision for the park. To learn more about the survey findings conducted in 2020, click here.
In the summer of 2023, Public Lands completed the first round of public engagement to evaluate what improvements and amenities the public would like to see at Taufer Park. We have analyzed the feedback! To read the summary report, click the button below.
Project Updates
The survey closed on October 4, 2024. We are currently reviewing feedback to create the final design.
Playground Build
On June 1, 2024 more than 100 Delta volunteers and the local community came together to build Delta’s 39th KABOOM! playground. Delta partnered with the Utah Jazz and the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands to build a playground in Taufer Park. Volunteers installed a playground, painted benches and picnic tables, created sidewalk games, and did some light gardening.
The playground includes a multi-dimensional play structure with two slides, a zipline, and a swing set. At the ribbon cutting, the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands and Taufer Park were surprised with a check for $10,000 from Delta presented by Blake Green, Director of Airport Operations in Salt Lake City. The contribution will assist with long-term maintenance of the playground. Check out the playground the next time you visit!
Event Schedule
| Name of Event | Date | Time | Location |
| Farmer’s Market | 9/7/2024 | 8am-11am | Pioneer Park |
| 9th and 9th Street Fair | 9/21/24 | 10am-1pm | 9th and 9th Intersection |
| Concept Design Open House | 9/26/24 | 5:30pm-7:30pm | Central City Recreation Center |
Project Timeline
Develop the project’s scope of work.
First Public Input Opportunity: Identify the Public’s values and vision for the project.
Evaluate Public Feedback.
Develop Concept Designs.
Second Public Input Opportunity: Showcase concept plans for public evaluation and feedback.
Project Design & Document Review.
Contractor Bidding & Selection.
Construction.
History of the Park
Why was the park named Taufer Park?
Justin Edward Taufer, Taufer Park’s namesake, left a unique legacy of service and humility. Justin E. Taufer was born on December 12, 1908, in Salt Lake City, UT. Through faith, encouragement, and love for his community, he dedicated his life to serving others. He graduated from East High School in 1928. He served in the Navy during World War II. He was an excellent Metal Sheet Worker and Plant Superintendent at Electrical Products Consolidated. He shown great initiative through teaching prospective students in his field at Salt Lake City Community College. He became an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on July 4, 1954. He served at the Liberty Stake and later served as the bishop of the Park Stake Ward for several years.
On May 10, 1977, He stopped and tried to aid the woman under the dangerous circumstances. He was killed instantly, at the age of 68. Shortly following his death, he was awarded the Robert P. Connelly Medal for heroism. He was nominated by Salt Lake Kiwanis Club for an international award. On May 17, 1977, Central City Neighborhood Council joined with others to dedicate Taufer Park in his honor. The Sheet Metal Worker Union Local 312, Justin Taufer’s Union, donated a sheet metal sculpture to honor him. This sculpture is in the park today.
Image Gallery
