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Salt Lake City Completes the First Phase of the Highly Anticipated Glendale Park 

Salt Lake City and community members opened the first phase of Glendale Park on Saturday, the City’s first regional park in more than 60 years. Located on the site of the former Raging Waters/Seven Peaks water park (1375 W. 1700 South), the space includes an all-abilities playground, a full basketball court, walking paths, shaded canopies, a newly planted native wetland, open lawn area, and parking.  

From the outset, the park’s planning has been guided by residents and designed to meet the needs of the Glendale neighborhood. More than 1,700 people participated in surveys, meetings, and events–including students from Glendale Middle School and Mountain View Elementary–to help Public Lands create a park that reflects the area’s diversity, character, and culture.  

“This is more than a park, it’s a testament to the power of community,” said Mayor Mendenhall. “Glendale residents told us what they needed and today we opened a space that belongs to them. It’s a space for everyone, and a space that reflects the resilience and spirit of our West Side.”  

In 2022, Public Lands released a community-informed Vision Plan for Glendale Park with goals drawn directly from community engagement. The goals include creating a safe and welcoming gathering space, providing access to nature, recreational opportunities, improving natural resources, and connecting the Jordan River to neighboring parks.    

Phase one of the park–which utilizes seven acres of the 20-acre property–includes the following features that were prioritized by the community:  

• An all-abilities playground, so children of all ages and abilities enjoy inclusive play.  
• A full basketball court for kids and adults alike 
• Looping walking paths for casual strolls and exercise  
• Shaded canopies to provide relief from sun exposure  
• A newly planted native wetland that enhances biodiversity and improves stormwater management 
• Open lawn space for gatherings, play, and recreation 
• Food truck promenade for community events 
• Parking to support accessibility 
• 12 pickleball courts, which have been open to the public since August  

“The Vision Plan was led by the people who live in Glendale,” said Kim Shelley, director of Public Lands. “Phase one delivers amenities that were consistently prioritized in engagement, and it sets the stage for an even more dynamic future.” 

As outlined in the Public Lands Master Plan, enhancing park spaces along the Jordan River is a top priority. Creating this regional destination park brings long-needed, equitable investment to the west side by providing a vibrant and accessible space for recreation and community gatherings.  

Glendale Park is being developed to meet the Sustainable SITES Initiative, a comprehensive rating system designed to guide the development of sustainable and resilient landscapes. The first phase of Glendale Park stands out as one of the first officially SITES-certified projects in Utah, achieving Gold certification and setting a precedent for sustainable landscape architecture in the region. 

While the first phase is a significant milestone, it is just the beginning. Future development planned for Glendale Park includes a skating ribbon and rink with associated buildings and infrastructure, an observation overlook on top of the hill, public art features, sledding hills, interactive water feature, skatepark, pump track, event stage, native and drought tolerant plantings, riparian/stream restoration plantings, kayak/canoe launch, boardwalks, paved and unpaved trails, and gathering areas. Construction for the second phase is anticipated to start in late 2026 and will be ongoing through late 2028.  

The park was initially funded by $3.2 million in park impact fees. In November 2022, Salt Lake City voters approved an $85 million General Obligation Bond to provide funding for Public Lands projects, including $27 million to cover both phases of Glendale Park.