How do you imagine these interconnected greenways along our seven creeks in the Salt Lake Valley?
We’d love to hear from you. Fill out the form, and we’ll post it below for others to see. Make sure to hit ‘like’ on the visions that resonate with you!
"Access for all, regardless of their location in the valley. Right now, it feels like there's great access on the East side of our valley, and significant work that needs to be done for access on the West side."
"Create places that are big, impactful, and public to welcome visitors and be accessible no matter where you live in the Valley."
"In 100 years, there is an interconnected system of trails and natural features—accessible to all residents"
"100 years from now, you can bike, run, or walk from the Jordan River to the Wasatch Canyons on a number of the greenways"
"100 years from now, there are many blue-ribbon fly fishing spots within our cities."
"100 years from now, there is greater continuous connections along the corridors, including identifying and buying key parcels to create connectivity"
"100 years from now, there is enough connectivity between greenways that facilitate human-wildlife cooperative habitats."
"100 years from now, there are more birds and wild spaces!"
"This is an amazing opportunity to make sure that native bees have habitat, local birds have reliable sources of clean water, native plants have space to grow, and that EVERYONE has access."
"'Interconnected' is the operative word, I think. Creeks, as linear features, provide threads that weave through the grid of streets and buildings. This provides opportunities to connect people and places, especially from the urban core to the sources of the creeks in the surrounding mountains."
"I want to see the greenways act as an active transportation backbone network. Creeks have been used throughout history as navigational aids, and I think it would be really great if we embraced that and made the greenways into essentially a highway network for people biking, walking, skateboarding, etc."
"100 years from now, every resident of the valley knows which creek’s watershed they live in; it’s part of their identity. 100 years from now, each creek has water in it year-round and is buffered by riparian plants that filter storm flows."
"I would like to see the creeks flowing on the surface wherever possible, with linear parks, paths, and opportunities for recreation and renewal."
"Larger setbacks from creeks allowing more natural erosion and change in creek routes, and native species reintegrated, where one could more easily walk uninterrupted from Jordan River into the mountains."
"My dream for Salt Lake Valley greenways would be to see people of all ages, colors, walks of life finding recreation and relaxation... The wealthy and the socio-economically challenged side by side, working, laughing, harvesting, breathing. Side by side."
"Uncover them! Make them an integral part of the neighborhoods. Keep them clean and accessible for all."
"A safe network of trails allows people to move throughout the valley by foot or bike easily. Regular community stewardship days give people connection to these trails. Water flows freely through the city. Shade trees grow. People feel more connected to their local watershed."
"I would love to see shops and restaurants in a riverside setting - a boardwalk type place. I [also] want some spaces that are more wild - just nature enthusiasts, the creek, and trees."
"Food forests for people and wildlife to encourage biodiversity. Creeks with healthy populations of fish and insects. A place for pollinator species to live."
"To have an area that everyone is able to visit and enjoy nature, that connects the mountains to the city and provides habitat for animals, places that have clean water and fish, and sections are boatable in canoe/kayak."
"Economic development opportunities - especially in industrial and underserved areas to the west. Opportunities to provide green infrastructure in those underserved areas as well - it is currently covered in impervious surface and SO HOT in the summer."
"Quisiera ver más accesos al agua limpia y que la naturaleza florezca con corredores ribereños (y daylighted). Será genial restaurar los arroyos a un estado más natural."
"Each east to west running creek has a fully paved bike way & walk way that is separated from roads to provide uninterrupted east-west transportation routes across the entire valley. People of all incomes share residence along these greenways, and other public places such as schools, museums, safety hubs, etc. are situated in these areas as well. The greenways bustle with street vendors & artists. And wildlife are well respected and known as local residents."
"I think a well connected network of trails with many different points of access, as well as benches, bathrooms, and water fountains placed throughout, would make a huge difference."
"It would be nice to have more environmental education opportunities at these locations to increase public awareness and environmental literacy."
"Urban green spaces are plentiful and accessible to all. The water is treated as the sacred foundation of life that it is. People are connected to their environment, with better mental and physical health. Art and community are place-based and built around our local lands. Indigenous and marginalized voices are centered in considering the future of the landscape."
"The greenways could be used in conjunction with other valley trails both to access natural areas for peace, quiet, and mental health, as well as to access areas by bike or foot for dining, shopping, groceries, visiting friends, etc."
"All riparian areas are daylighted and restored with a mix of public access and protected wildlife habitat. I envision walking paths, bike trails, and interpretive signs all along the riparian corridors in a way that allows enhanced non-motorized travel, outdoor recreation, and connection with the natural spaces in our urban ecosystems."
"Better public transportation from the west to the east at an affordable or city-financed rate. Increased rehabilitation efforts on the west side, to bring more opportunities to underserved populations to access greenspaces. Increased stewardship through public education, outreach, volunteer opportunities, science-based events, and regular community updates."
"We need more community gardens. More wild space. More fresh air. So many mental health issues can be aided by finding grounding in green spaces, connecting to nature, getting our hands and feet in the dirt, and being good stewards of the green spaces we have."
"A non-intrusive, sustainable, ecologically-minded system that allows for people across all demographics and socioeconomic statuses to access and enjoy the outdoors, while providing educational opportunities on the local ecosystems."
"Play structures for kids, but not too imposing (fun, natural type structures, like rocks, bridges, rock climbing walls, etc). Plenty of forest area for kids to wander around in and play in trees and let their imaginations run wild."
"I want the seven creeks to not only be uncovered, but be celebrated! Celebrating them would involve making them easy to find, easy to get to, beautiful, safe, and a meeting point for social interactions/cultural events."
"Un sueño hecho realidad, la tranquilidad de poder combatir la contaminación naturalmente..."
"Lush riparian corridors with stands of multi-age cottonwoods and box elders. Lush understory of willow and dogwood. Alive with birdsong in the spring, natural oxbows with chorus frogs and woodhouse toads. Clean water and bonneville cutthroat trout. Trails and access points integrated into housing, business, and development. Natural floodplains conserved to absorb spring runoff and conserve ecosystems and soil."
