Foothills Trailhead Infrastructure Improvement Project
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Project Description
Salt Lake City Public Lands Department has initiated the development of new trailheads and amenities at five existing access locations: Victory Road, Bonneville Blvd (Salt Dome), 18th Ave (Hilltop Road), Popperton Park, and Emigration Trailhead.
The Trailhead Improvement Project is funded separately from the 2020 Foothills Trail System Plan Project and has undergone independent processes. The City has committed $1.3M, which has been matched by a generous grant from the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation, toward infrastructure improvements at the five trailheads.
Project Details
Project Location
Project Manager
Tyler Fonarow, Trails and Natural Lands Division Director
Project Status
Bonneville Blvd., Emigration Canyon, Victory Road, and Popperton Park will be completed in summer 2025. 18th Ave. trailhead designs are underway.
Project Goals
Why now?
Improvements to trailheads meet the 2020 Foothills Trail System Plan’s goals of increased safety and accessibility for trail users. As Salt Lake City’s population continues to grow, this project supports the greater demand for open space access, recreational opportunities, trail sustainability, and natural land conservation while also meeting goals identified in the SLC Public Lands Reimagine Nature Master Plan.
Project Benefits
Increased Safety
- Well-planned trailheads facilitate easier access for emergency services.
- Clear and informative signage help users navigate trail system.
Improved Accessibility
- Well-designed parking areas make it easier for visitors to access the trailhead while reducing congestion.
Educational Opportunities
- Signage and care stations can inform and encourage visitors to care for open spaces and will offer opportunities to learn about volunteering with Public Lands.
Meets demand for Open Space
- Every year usage of the trails increases and will continue with Salt Lake City’s expected population growth.
Project Updates
April 21, 2025 Update
- Popperton: Sewer-connected restroom permit still pending. Project may be complete mid to late summer.
- Bonneville: Complete gravel path and landscaping. The project may be completed by late spring.
- Victory: Paving and fencing installation is underway. Project may be completed by early summer.
Project Timeline
Develop the project’s scope of work.
Additional funding secured.
Public Input Opportunity: Identify the Public’s preferred amenities and evaluate feedback.
Consult with public partners.
Project design & document review.
Contractor bidding & selection. Contracts are then completed.
Construction
Estimated completion is summer 2025.
Community Engagement
Fall 2022 Engagement
In fall 2022, the Public Lands Department conducted a community engagement period for feedback on the trailhead designs through online surveys and trailhead tabling events. An online survey was open for five weeks, and staff members held numerous tabling events at the trailheads as well. Over 350 responses were collected based on the trailhead’s 40% construction design documents. This feedback was greatly appreciated and resulted in various design and amenity improvements to be considered for final construction designs.
Individual Trailhead Information
Since the beginning of the process, the designs for Victory Road, Bonneville Boulevard, and Popperton Trailheads were completed utilizing the original footprints for each trailhead. The Emigration Trailhead’s design was significantly altered after conversations with the landowner, Utah State Parks, and with UDOT, which has preliminary plans to add a roundabout at the intersection of Sunnyside Avenue, Emigration Canyon Road and Crestview Drive.
