SLC 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
Troy Anderson
Troy.Anderson4@slcgov.com
Project Status
Bonneville Blvd construction commenced on April 17, 2024.
Projects 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 naviaget 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
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 22, 2024 Update
18th Avenue was originally included in this scope of work but has been proposed to start in the fall of 2024 and will be redesigned to align with a Public Utilities project. This trailhead will have new drawings and concepts created for public engagement and feedback by the fall of 2024 or 2025.
In the meantime, the bid package for the four other trailheads went live for contract bidding in January and was awarded in March.
View the whole project timeline below.
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 2024, with the exception of 18th Avenue, which is spring 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.
