HomeMy WebLinkAboutTransmittal - 12/9/2024SALT LAKE CITY TRANSMITTAL
To:
Salt Lake City Council Chair
Submission Date:12/04/2024
Date Sent to Council:
12/09/2024
From:
Department*
Public Lands
Employee Name:Millar, Tom E-mailtom.millar@slc.gov
Department Director Signature
Director Signed Date
12/04/2024
Chief Administrator Officer's Signature
Chief Administrator Officer's Signed Date
12/06/2024
Subject:
Public Lands’ Updates on the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Additional Staff Contact:Tyler Murdock; tyler.murdock@slc.govMakaylah Maponga; makaylah.maponga@slc.gov
Presenters/Staff TableTom Millar; tom.millar@slc.govMakaylah Maponga; makaylah.maponga@slc.govAllison Rowland; allison.rowland@slc.gov
Document Type
Information Item
Budget Impact?
Yes
No
Recommendation:
None, informational only. Presentation.
Background/Discussion
See first attachment for Background/Discussion
Will the City Council need to hold a public hearing for this item?*
Yes
No
Public Process
N/A
This page has intentionally been left blank
____________________________ Date Received: _______________
Jill Love, Chief Administrative Officer Date sent to Council: ___________
TO: Salt Lake City Council DATE: December 4, 2024
Victoria Petro, Chair
FROM: Kristin Riker, Director
Department of Public Lands (PL)
SUBJECT: Public Lands’ Updates on the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
STAFF CONTACTS: Tom Millar, PL Planning & Design Division Director
tom.millar@slc.gov
Tyler Murdock, PL Department Deputy Director
tyler.murdock@slc.gov
Makaylah Maponga, PL Planner, Project Manager
makaylah.maponga@slc.gov
DOCUMENT TYPE: Information Item
RECOMMENDATION: None, informational only. Presentation.
Overview
The Emerald Ribbon Action Plan project will guide the future of capital investment and
management of the Jordan River corridor. The study area for the plan is the roughly 10 miles of
Jordan River and Jordan River Parkway Trail within Salt Lake City, including all adjacent open
spaces owned by the City. In all, the corridor totals 760 acres of land managed by the City as
park, the Regional Athletic Complex, golf, corridor greenway areas, and natural areas. The final
outcomes of the plan will be a community-supported vision for the corridor and the critical
policy, design, and structural tools Public Lands will need to bring that vision to life over the
next 10-20 years. Please review the June 27, 2024 transmittal and the September 17, 2024,
Council work session briefing presentation for additional background information on the
project.
See attached for the full draft of the Action Plan and the accompanying Operations and
Maintenance Plan. These two documents include policy and planning recommendations, a
prioritized and phased list for improvements along the river, and an operational transition plan
towards a more naturalized corridor. In early 2025, Public Lands intends to move into design
for the first phase of improvements (approx. $11 - 13 million) recommended by the Action Plan.
The Action Plan has been written to provide a detailed roadmap with specific actions, project
estimates of probable cost, and operational and maintenance strategies to help the City fulfill the
vision. Due to the highly-detailed and specific nature of these recommendations, Public Lands is
not seeking the formal adoption of the Action Plan as part of the Salt Lake City’s General Plan.
However, the Council will continue to have the power to direct this project. Phase One
recommendations (outlined in further detail in later sections of this transmittal) will make up
the “Jordan River Corridor” funding requests for future tranches of the Parks GO Bond.
Additionally, many of the Action Plan and O&M recommendations may guide future funding
requests, which will be presented to and may be funded by the Council.
Action Plan Overview
The Action Plan envisions a future Jordan River corridor that is a ribbon of nature
through Salt Lake City, a community crossroads, and the heart of the Westside. The Emerald
Ribbon will be a model of care for people, wildlife, and ecosystems. The Action Plan is supported
by four values: Nature, Culture, Connectivity, and Care. These arose from conversations with
technical experts and community members. Further, five guiding principles were developed to
form the skeleton of the plan recommendations. The guiding principles were crafted in
collaboration with the Community Advisory Committee and serve as an important checkpoint in
evaluating progress and ensuring alignment with the vision. The guiding principles are as
follows:
1. Celebrate the rich ecological and cultural diversity of the corridor
2. Connect the corridor to adjacent roads, trails, and waterways.
3. Cultivate collective care of the corridor.
4. Restore and enhance the river ecosystem as a peaceful refuge.
5. Create a safe and vibrant destination.
Each of the guiding principles serves as a chapter of the Action Plan with an associated set of
goals, strategies, and actions. The actions tackle a diversity of the corridor needs from capital
improvements to new programming to improved management techniques. The strategies have
been divided into categories to be completed in the short-term, mid-term, long-term, or as an
ongoing action. This will allow Public Lands staff to prioritize staff time and resources in the
implementation of the plan.
In addition to the strategic recommendations, the project team used the plan framework
and community feedback to create concept designs for five key locations on the corridor. The
five locations are the Rose Park Nature Area, Cottonwood Park, Fairpark Urban Core, Modesto
Park/Bend in the River, and Glendale Oxbow. These were selected due to their high potential in
creating desirable and functional spaces for both nature and community. The Action Plan
identifies initial work that can be done on each of these sites and lays out a general timeline for
completion within 10 years.
Phase One Priorities
The Action Plan currently identifies approximately $11 – 13 million in capital
improvements for the first phase of work. This funding has been secured through the 2022
Parks General Obligation Bond and additional CIP. Phase One priorities are intended to be
completed within the next 3-5 years, and projects will kick off in 2025. When selecting Phase
One priorities, it was critical to achieve a geographic distribution of funds between
neighborhoods along the river. This will ensure that the community feels and sees investment
throughout the river corridor, beyond just the transformational project sites.
Transformational Projects
Within the five transformational projects, three were identified as the highest priorities
to receive Phase One funding. These are Cottonwood Park, Modesto Park/Bend in the
River, and Glendale Oxbow. These are multi-pronged projects that include
improvements to recreation amenities, ecological restoration, and trail connections.
1. Cottonwood Park will see additional nature trails, a new Jordan River trailhead,
and improved active recreation amenities. Simplifying existing walkways and
adding separate trails for different modes will reduce conflicts on the main trail.
The plan includes constructing a new bridge connecting the main park to the dog
park further east, enhancing the direct connection between these areas and the
river.
2. Modesto Park and Bend in the River will see new active recreation amenities on
the south, neighborhood-facing side of the park along Modesto Avenue, and
improvements to the existing wetland areas. Due to mixed opinions on the Urban
Treehouse in Bend in the River, Public Lands will not be looking to immediately
remove this structure. Rather, staff will conduct a focused effort to improve park
activation and identify programming partners to determine the long-term
viability of this structure.
3. Glendale Oxbow will receive funding for trees and other landscaping on the
western bank of the river (in the golf course boundaries) and investments in a
new natural area focused on growing wetlands and restoring habitat.
Corridor-Wide Nature Restoration Projects
Eight additional locations have been identified for focused ecological restoration to work
towards achieving a thriving nature corridor. These locations are distributed throughout
the corridor to have a widespread impact. The locations are Peace Labyrinth Open Space,
9th South River Park, 500 South, Alzheimer's Park, Riverside Park, Cornell Street Lift
Station, the Fairpark/North Temple area, and the future Folsom Trail connection. The
initial investment and long-term maintenance of these spaces will be overseen by our
Trails and Natural Lands staff. The total investment in these projects is estimated at $1
million and, when completed, these projects will add 8 acres of restored natural lands.
Corridor-Wide Safety Focused Projects
The final category of investment is safety and connectivity focused improvements. This
area of work seeks to improve confusing and unsafe aspects of the Jordan River Parkway
Trail within the corridor. Funding will be allocated to improving three trail intersections:
North Temple, 1700 South, and 900 South. Additionally, funding will be put towards an
overall wayfinding and interpretive plan for the corridor.
Operations and Management Plan
Maintenance and care of the corridor was one of the top concerns of stakeholders and
community members that participated in the development of the Action Plan. Thus, in addition
to making recommendations for new improvements, the project team has developed the
Operations and Management (O&M) Plan supplement to the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan to
guide Public Lands staff in how we care for the corridor. The overarching goal of the O&M Plan
is to create more consistent and standardized practices across the corridor that align with our
goals for community and nature.
During the second community engagement period in the spring of 2024, the community
and key stakeholders were asked to prioritize different visions for the future. Most participants
shared that they wanted to see a focus on nature and restoring a healthy natural environment. In
response, the Action Plan sets the ambitious goal of more than doubling the restored and
managed natural areas on the corridor from 14% of the corridor to at least 30%, or
approximately 228 acres. Work towards this goal will begin with the restoration projects
identified in Phase One and will continue over the next 10+ years. While our goal is a minimum
of 30%, our Trails & Natural Lands team has identified 282 acres (54 acres more than the
minimum goal) as great candidates for restoration, which would equate to approximately 37% of
the corridor.
The O&M Plan provides guidance for restoring degraded aspects of the river and
establishes standards for recommended plant communities. In collaboration with Public Lands
staff, the project team has evaluated the full corridor and designated a target plant community
for each acre of the corridor. These designations establish day-to-day and seasonal practices for
various spaces, while also setting a long-term target for care. Spaces today that are currently
overrun with invasives and regularly mowed will one day convert to riparian, wetland, or upland
native plant communities with appropriate care. This plan also takes advantage of underutilized
grassy areas within parks adjacent to the river. These areas can be converted into beautiful areas
that highlight native species while contributing to the health of the ecosystem.
Currently, Public Land’s maintenance districts 5 and 6 care for a majority of space on the
corridor; however, their time and resources are divided between their responsibilities on the
river and those in other spaces throughout the city. Through maintenance tracking data, the
project team estimates that these teams spent approximately 4,300 hours on the corridor in
FY23, which is the equivalent of 2.2 FTEs. With 164 acres under their management, this is
approximately 74.5 acres per FTE. Through researching best practices in comparable cities, the
project team has identified ideal staffing ratio to be closer to 1 FTE per 20 acres. To meet this
ratio, Public Lands should aim to add up to 14 FTEs to manage a future 282 acres of natural area
on the corridor.
Requests for additional staff would not come all at once. The additional 14 FTEs would
allow the City to achieve the full 30% natural area goal, which is anticipated over a 10+ year
timeline. Staffing requests will be made via budget insights, according to (1) the health of the
general fund, (2) when capital projects within the Jordan River Corridor come online, and (3)
other priorities. In addition to new FTEs, more non-personnel maintenance funding
(equipment, vehicles, etc.) would be needed to support the specialized care required for native
planting areas.
This page has intentionally been left blank
2024
Table of Contents
Introduction
Executive Summary 8
Planning Approach 10
Existing Conditions 14
Making the Action Plan
Collaborating with the Community 22
Community Engagement and Insights 30
The Action Plan
Vision Statement & Values 32
Guiding Principles 40
#1: Celebrate 44
#2: Connect 54
#3: Cultivate Care 66
#4: Restore 76
#5: Activate 86
Bringing the Vision to Life
How to Realize the Vision 98
Prioritizing the Action Plan’s Goals 108
Transformational Projects 114
#1: Glendale Oxbow 118
#2: Modesto Park and Bend in the River 126
#3: Power District and Fairpark 134
#4: Cottonwood Park 142
#5: Rose Park Golf Course 150
Bond Funding Priorities 158
Introduction
6
Salt Lake City Neighborhoods
10
Miles of River
Corridor
760
Acres of City-owned Land
It’s time to
embrace the
Emerald Ribbon.
Embracing the Emerald Ribbon means embracing the Jordan River’s future and all its roles in our community: for Salt Lake City residents, the Great Salt Lake, and all the plants and animals that call it home. The Emerald Ribbon is the 10-mile stretch of the Jordan River including surrounding trails and parks, that is the geographic heart of Salt Lake City’s Westside.
Executive Summary
The Emerald Ribbon Action Plan is an ambitious vision for the future of the Jordan River, the Jordan River Parkway Trail, and the many city-owned parklands that surround them in Salt Lake City. The ten miles of urban river corridor that cut through the city’s Westside neighborhoods are intertwined with the city’s history and growth from a natural river (one of four that flow into the Great Salt Lake), to the city’s industrial heart, to a vibrant hub of immigration from around the world. The West Side has seen immense transformation in the last one hundred years. The Jordan River has been at the heart of all of it.
The Emerald Ribbon Action Plan builds on the foundational belief that if we care for nature’s ecological health, nature will engage and sustain human well being. At the center of this intertwined relationship is a system of care. The Westside community today has watched a once vibrant river corridor struggle under the weight of increased concerns over public safety, under-maintained amenities, and poor water quality. This plan puts forth a proposal deeply rooted in the dreams and aspirations of that community to steward and enliven an Emerald Ribbon that meets its full potential as the heart of the Westside and the vibrant ecological counterpoint to the mountains to the east.
Funded by the voter-approved Parks, Trails, and Open Space GO Bond, this plan puts forth a proposal to advance the community’s goals to improve the parks, ecology, and trail system that make up the Emerald Ribbon. The goals and strategies of the plan center around the
needs of Nature (the natural environment), Culture (the human experience), Connectivity (the trail and mobility system), and Care (the stewardship and management of the corridor). The underlying framework of the Action Plan are five guiding principles; within each principle are three to five goals, supported by a series of strategies and actions to advance each goal.
The Westside community, and the Salt Lake City community as a whole, have expressed clear priorities:
1. Center nature and the ecological health of the corridor while also celebrating the rich cultural vibrance of the Westside’s people.2. Improve the trail and pathway system as a true mobility corridor.3. Cultivate collective ownership and care of the corridor, rethinking the management approach that exists today. 4. Restore and enhance the river’s ecological health (and work to make the river swimmable and fishable in the future)! 5. Bring more activity and energy to the river’s banks and the corridor’s parks, so long as it is supportive of a healthy natural habitat. To do this, a public safety strategy that ensures people feel safe and welcome on the corridor is paramount.
Salt Lake City Public Lands is poised and ready to transform its investment in the Emerald Ribbon in the next ten years. Immense efforts are already underway to increase the department’s focus on natural lands management and to better partner with the community to steward the corridor.
8 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
This plan proposes two other major shifts: towards a restored river closer to its natural origins as a winding series of wetlands, and towards a significant increase in spending in the programming and activation of the Emerald Ribbon. Across all community conversations, the needs of the natural environment emerged as a top priority. The community agrees: if Salt Lake City Public Lands can steward nature’s ecological health on the Emerald Ribbon, creating vibrant and biodiverse ecosystems for plants, animals, and people to enjoy, the Emerald Ribbon ecosystem will sustain the community’s well-being for generations to come.
Introduction • 9
Nature
If we steward nature’s ecological health...
Planning
Approach
At the core of the vision for the Emerald Ribbon is the idea that if we sustain nature, nature will sustain us, fostering a system of care that can span generations. This framework evolved from the community’s repeated desire to see a more comprehensive approach to care on the Jordan River corridor. Through the planning process, the community’s interest in centering the natural environment was clear. The interwoven concepts of Nature, Culture, and Care serve as the underlying approach to the Action Plan.
Culture
...nature will engage and sustain human well-being.
Care
through a process that centers on care
This plan
builds from a
strong planning
foundation.
The need for the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan emerged out of a number of important planning efforts. The synthesis of these efforts, shown at right, focuses on three main concerns: how the Corridor is invested in as a place (Making), how it is maintained (Keeping) and how the two-way relationship between Making and Keeping can lead to Caring.
Blueprint Jordan River Refresh (2022)
Public Lands Comprehensive Needs Assessment (2019)
Jordan River Commission Best Practices for Riverfront Communities (2013)
“Reimagine Nature” Public Lands Master Plan (2022)
Blueprint Jordan River (2008)
Westside Master Plan (2014)
Salt Lake County Jordan River Trail Master Plan (2008)
12 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Improve visibility of park and natural land areas
- Internal Natural Area Guidelines (2021)
Grow the urban forest (equitable distribution of tree cover) - Reimagine Nature (2022)
Integrate diverse recreational use on golf courses
- Reimagine Nature (2022)
Create design standards for adjacent corridor development - Blueprint Jordan River (2008)
Return to historic meandering and biodiverse river corridor with wetlands and improved water quality- Blueprint Jordan River (2008)
Reduce impervious surfaces near the corridor
- Blueprint Jordan River (2022)
Acquire new land for parks and natural areas
- Reimagine Nature (2022)
Re-imagine the ecological maintenance of golf courses - Reimagine Nature (2022)
Caring
A two-way relationship between process and place
+Integrate natural and manicured areas
+Create “cues to care” to nurture stewardship
+Create quality outdoor spaces and experiences for adjacent communities
+Balance recreation and development with river protection
+Expand stewardship through education
+Facilitate thoughtful naming & culturally relevant amenities
+Center equity, inclusion, and belonging
Making
A process to enhance a place
+Re-establish native flora and fauna
+Create physical space for community engagement
+Create cherished places people are proud of
+Increase accessibility
+Create an inter-connected trail network
+Increase gateways & points of connection
+Improve experience through art and place-making
+Improve connections to transit and active transportation
+Improve experience through wayfinding, points of interest, education
+Communicate & encourage care through thoughtful maintenance
+Manage invasive species
+Preserve open spaces and natural areas
+Revive and protect the river’s water quality
+Balance use across park assets
+Generate consistent programming
Retrofit stormwater infrastructure to incorporate water quality and quality management
- Jordan River Commission Best Practices for Riverfront Communities (2013)
Keeping
A process to maintain a place
Introduction • 13
“We should protect wildlife and the actual habitat of the river. Safety and protection for the ecological system.”
- Community Member
“People are becoming more aware of the river, but I love that it’s wild.”
- Community Member
Natural Context
The Emerald Ribbon is
the spine of a unique
and threatened
ecosystem.
The Jordan River is the ecological heart of the Salt Lake Valley. Flowing 51 miles from Utah Lake in the south to the Great Salt Lake in the north, the river is a vital waterway in the Salt Lake Valley that has supported robust wetlands and wildlife for millenia. The Great Salt Lake and the Valley are a remnant of the massive Lake Bonneville that was 20 times the size of the Great Salt Lake. As Lake Bonneville subsided, the Jordan River formed a connection between Utah Lake and the Great Salt Lake full of meanders, broad floodplains, marshes, and oxbows. The river that settlers saw in the 1800’s has been significantly altered and channelized to fill wetlands, increase areas for development, reduce flooding, and divert water. Despite the changes over more than a century, the river continues to play a crucial role in supporting migrating birds, wetland habitat, other wildlife, and places for people to enjoy nature.
The Emerald Ribbon Action Plan’s study area includes 760 acres reaching from the southern to northern ends of the Salt Lake City limits, from 2100 South to the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC). The study area includes all Salt Lake City Public Lands owned parcels adjacent to the river as well as a 150 foot buffer from the river.
14 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Nature drawingsCommunity drawings
Salt Lake Salt Lake CityCity
ProvoProvo
MurrayMurray
Utah Lake
Great Salt Lake
Historic Lake Historic Lake BonnevilleBonneville
0 12 mi
Ecoregion boundarySalt City boundaryWaterwaysWaterbodiesHistorical Lake BonnevilleUtah Lake WatershedJordan River WatershedGreat Salt Lake WatershedStudy areaCity Locations
Jordan River Watershed
Utah Lake Watershed
Great Salt Lake Watershed
Introduction • 15
Cultural Context
The Emerald Ribbon
is the heart of the
Westside, home to
some of Salt Lake
City’s most diverse
communities.
People have always had an important relationship with the Jordan River. Indigenous groups, who called the Jordan River Pia Okwai, traded goods and celebrated key events along its banks. Since the late 1800s, the development of the railroad and ensuing industrial activity along the river brought more people to Salt Lake City. The city’s rapid population growth corresponds directly with the rapidly shrinking size of the Great Salt Lake.
In the mid 20th century, the I-15 freeway created a physical, cultural, and socioeconomic divide between the east and west sides of the city that remains today. While the east side has access to a variety of downtown parks and mountain landscapes, the Jordan River serves as the primary open space for the Westside. The Westside is made up of neighborhoods diverse and varied in their own right: Poplar Grove, Glendale, Fairpark, Jordan Meadows, Rose Park, and Westpointe. Across all of these neighborhoods, social vulnerability (a measure that includes income, race, lack of vehicle access, and housing instability) is on average higher than Salt Lake City as a whole.
“I want healthy places that are accessible in the community. And I want more coffee shops.” - Community Member
16 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Introduction • 17
“I know I would like to volunteer time helping clean up the river and parks and learn more about the habitat and what I can do at home to help indigenous species. ”
- Community Member
Care Context
Cleanliness and
safety issues threaten
public perception of
the corridor.
Throughout community focus groups, interviews, and workshops, lack of safety and cleanliness were the most common themes people mentioned when describing their perceptions of the corridor. Safety considerations are multifaceted: residents expressed feeling unsafe at night due to poor lighting along the trail, during the day due to the large presence of unsheltered populations in the corridor, and within the river due to steep banks and poor water quality. Perceptions about cleanliness centered on the presence of refuse in the waterway and adjacent parks and under-maintained amenities. Feeling that it is not well cared for by the city, some residents and stakeholders have mentioned taking it upon themselves to clean certain sections of the river. Within the new and growing department created to care for Salt Lake City’s Public Lands, care for the river corridor is a pressing concern. The Park Rangers team, created in 2023, has already become a key component of trail experience, offering aid, orientation, and a sense of safety. The Trails and Natural Lands (TNL) team on the Parks Division is growing substantially, with six additional positions opening in 2023. Four landscape architects, previously in the Public Services department, moved to Public Lands in 2023, further positioning the department to lead the way on the restoration and care of the corridor’s natural ecology.
“A healthy river in SLC requires great collaboration with everyone upstream.”
- Community Member
18 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
+20 FT +20 FT
Who manages the Jordan River Corridor?
Trees in the parks are maintained by the city Three Public Lands maintenance teams share management of the corridor (see Operations & Maintenance Report)
Utah Division of Forestry Fire & State Lands & US Army Corps of Engineers owns the bed of the Jordan River and is responsible for management to the top of its banks
Salt Lake County is responsible for flood control
The city owns and maintains the trail
Public Lands removes debris and trees in the river, but so does the state
Nonprofit groups and volunteers also play an important role in helping to keep the river free of trash
HIGH WATER MARK
The Utah Division of Forestry,Fire, & State Lands has jurisdiction over the river bed from bank to bank. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is responsible for regulating the replacement of materials in waterways. Salt Lake County Flood Control needs to be involved in anything that might affect the floodplain.
Introduction • 19
Making the
Action Plan
Collaborating
with the
Community
Phase 1
Begin the
Journey
Phase 2
Dream
Big
Phase 3
Create a
Road Map
140
participants in public workshops
100
people at Dinner on the River 50 Westside residents in focus groups
561
online survey respondents
209
participants in public workshops
51
stakeholders in focus groups
30
youth workshop participants
2
committee meetings
128
participants in public workshops 2
elected official
site tours
526
online survey respondents
2
committee
meetings
2
committee
meetings
Phase 1Begin the Journey
The first phase of planning sought to understand and analyze the existing context, current trends, planned projects, and stakeholder priorities along the 10-mile stretch of river corridor. Analysis included the park, trail, and recreation systems and assets along with community history, its environmental and ecological significance, and its broader role in the community. This phase concluded by defining the opportunities and challenges of the system and documenting the work as an Existing Conditions Report.
The river remains a
meandering corridor, but
some historical water
bodies have already been
filled in, such as Hot Spring
Lake.
The dark coloration near
the river indicates likely
wetlands. The river is a
meandering corridor
through mostly rural lands
at the westernmost edge
of the built city.
1885
The downtown core of Salt
Lake City has encroached
westward beyond the
river boundary. Much of
the wetlands seen in 1937
have been filled in. The
northern section of the site
still shows a meandering
corridor through
undeveloped land.
The river is heavily
channelized. Its
surroundings are highly
developed and much of the
open space within the study
area is programmed for
public use, such as golf.
19981937
Extensive wetland area
1950
Wetlands removed
Canal diversion
The History of the Jordan River in Salt Lake City
24 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Type 1: Developed
Type 2: One Sided
Type 3: Golf
Type 4: Parks
Type 5: Roads
Park
Trees are sparse within golf course areas.
Wetland natural areas provide flood mitigation & biodiversity.
Natural parks like Cornell, Fife, and Three Creeks provide diverse experiences.
Native flora provides habitat for wildlife.
Jordan River Parkway Trail Area
Jordan River Parkway Trail Area
Jordan River Parkway Trail Area
Jordan River Parkway Trail Area
Jordan River Parkway Trail Area
Permeable cover mitigates flooding & improves water quality.
Developed Property
Golf courses draw water from the Jordan River for irrigation.
Natural Park
Developed Area with Roadway Developed Area
Recreational Park
Canopy provides shade & riparian habitat.
9% of the corridor is park on both sides
11% of the corridor is lined with golf courses
Pollution from roadway is more likely to enter the River.
Turf management limits the amount of native plants.
39% of the corridor is developed on one side and park on the other
Pollution from developed areas is more likely to enter river water.
River banks are incised & constrained by narrow parkway.
Canopy provides shade & riparian habitat.
Industrial Property Residential Property
33% of the corridor is developed on both sides with residential, industrial or civic uses
9% of the corridor is lined by roadways
Opportunities exist for more native plants in manicured park areas.
Land Use Types Along the Corridor Today
Opportunities exist to diversify large areas of turf.
Introduction • 25
Dynamic Districts
A vibrant, ever-changing corridor that celebrates the diversity of Westside neighborhoods
ROSE PARK
LEGACY FOREST
FAIRPARK
INDUSTRIAL RESTORATION
POPLAR GROVE
WETLAND CONFLUENCE
GLENDALE
OXBOW MEADOWS
THE
THE
THE
THE
REACH
REACH
Snowshoe & cross country ski rental
Youth & community sports
Golf course movie nights
Wetland education
Activities for kids & families
Multilingual signage
Canoe showsPublic art
River forest
Post industrial remediation
Kayak & paddle rental
New development
REACH
REACH
Phase 2Dream Big
The second phase of planning focused on the development of a framework for the river corridor at a master plan scale. Utilizing the feedback and ideas in the first wave of engagement, five Guiding Principles were developed in collaboration with the Community Advisory Group to ground the plan’s goals in the aspirations of the Westside community.
The desired character of the corridor was then tested with the community via the development and evaluation of three imaginative scenarios: Dynamic Districts, River Ribbons, and Meandering Moments. These were visualized at both the system scale (to the right) as well as through three-dimensional sketches of various segments.
26 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
River Ribbons
A restored river with active, programmed edges and well-connected transition spaces
Meandering Moments A restored nature education and recreation corridor with unique nodes of activation
YELLOW RIBBON
GREEN RIBBON
BLUE RIBBON
Play
Commuters
Habitat restoration
Parks
Nature education
Residential
Residential
Commercial/Businesses
Industrial Uses
Water quality stewardship
Paddling, kayaking, and canoing
Safe river access
Water storytelling
Stewardship
Festivals & Pop-ups
Community
Roots Disc Golf Moment
1000 North
700 North 600 North
600 North
600 South
Three Creeks
9 Line Trail
Sur
p
l
u
s
C
a
n
a
l
City Creek / N Temple
Rose Park Golf & RAC Moment
Riverside Park Moment
Cottonwood Park Moment
Fisher Mansion Moment
Glendale Park Moment
Jordan Park Moment
Introduction • 27
Phase 3 focused on the creation of a preferred corridor-wide concept plan with further detail on programming, landscape character, trail connectivity, and ecology. Building on the Guiding Principles and community priorities identified in Phases 1 and 2, the concept was vetted with advisory committees and the public, and high priority ideas from the proposal were identified. The overall concept plan also included five detailed concept plans for areas of potential focus throughout the corridor.
Together, the corridor-wide framework, the five concept plans, and an operations and maintenance plan provide an overall guide for the long-term preservation and enhancement of the Corridor consistent with the community’s vision.
Phase 3Create a Roadmap
28 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Glendale Oxbow
Power District and Fairpark
Introduction • 29
November 2023
Stakeholder Focus Groups
51 stakeholders from community organizations, advocacy groups, schools, and city, county, and state departments convened for small group discussions on topics including Ecology, History and Culture, Mobility, Maintenance, Economy & Policy, and Education & Stewardship.
The Community Advisory Group (CAG) Kickoff
Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Kickoff
Public Open Houses
In March, hundreds of residents gathered at two open houses, at Sorenson Unity Center and Mestizo Coffee House to review three concepts for the future of the Emerald Ribbon. Residents cast 1,258 votes on various elements to help shape the next phase of the plan and submitted 501 comments.
2 CAG Meetings, including Guiding Principles workshop
TAG Meeting
Public Open Houses
Corridor-wide draft recommendations and proposed concept designs for the five focus areas were shared for feedback. Based on the number of votes, 128 residents gathered to shape the final plan.
Community Engagement
August 2023
March 13-14, 2024
July 10-11, 2024
March-April, 2024
July 10-11, 2024
March 12, 2024
July-August 2024
Fall 2023
Community Focus Groups
Led by University Neighborhood Partners, 50 Westside residents gathered in 8 focus groups, con-ducted in Spanish, Somali, Tongan, and Tibeto-Burman languages at the Hartland Partnership Center. Participants were compensated and discussions included childcare, making participation accessible to individuals often left out of conver-sations on the Westside.
Public Open Houses
At Sorenson Unity Center and Northwest Recreation Center, the team shared back our understanding of the Emerald Ribbon in the form of an exhibit and game board. Residents shared their priorities from a set of options, the challenges they see today, and their dreams for the future.
Online Survey
The three design concepts were ranked by over 561 respondents online. Respondents were predominantly Westside residents but included residents of other Salt Lake City neighborhoods and surrounding areas.
Youth Workshop
At the Northwest Recreation Center, thirty young people between the ages of 6 and 12 participated in a workshop to design their dream park on the Jordan River, expressing their priorities and dreams for the future.
CAG Site Tour of Modesto Park and Bend in the River
Site Tours with Mayor Mendenhall and Councilmember PuyThe team led site tours of the Glendale Oxbow and Modesto and Bend in the River Parks with Mayor Mendhall and of the Fisher Mansion and Fairpark area with Councilmember Puy to share proposed designs.
Online Survey
A second online survey ensured residents could share feedback in multiple ways and gathered 526 responses.
TAG Site Tour of Cottonwood Park
30 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Key Insights
A well-maintained natural and cultural corridor
46% of feedback across open houses and focus groups highlighted the need for a safe and clean corridor.
A vibrant community destination
37% of feedback centered around ideas for programming on the river and along the trail.
A place that fosters long-term multigenerational use
18% of comments centered on cherished personal memories: people feel the corridor has gotten worse in recent years and hope it will be different for the next generation.
Stakeholder Feedback
+Activate the corridor +Collaborate with partners +Prioritize nature with new best practices +Strategically balance uses
Care for Nature
Ecological restoration emerged as the #1 priority across all engagement methods.
Activation in a Healthy Way
More programming and cultural celebration was popular, but only if done in a way that is sustainable to the natural environment.
Perceptions of Insecurity
Public safety remains an urgent priority for residents.
Restoration Priorities: Biodiversity and Water Quality
Improving water quality was highly ranked at open houses and in the online survey, closely followed by improving biodiversity.
Safety & Activation go Hand-in-Hand
Partnering with the city and state to address housing insecurity was a top rated theme, followed by increased programming on the water and water’s edge.
Safer Intersections & a Complete Network
Safer and more visible intersections emerged as a top priority alongside a more complete trail network.
Top Rated Ideas
+Improve water quality +Partner with city and state to address housing insecurity +Encourage developers to enhance trail network +Safer intersections +Prioritize ecological restoration
We heard that over all, nature preservation is your biggest priority!
Making the Action Plan • 31
The
Action
Plan
Chapter Contents
Vision Statement & Values 32
Guiding Principles Introduction 40
Principle #1: Celebrate 54
Principle #2: Connect 50
Principle #3: Cultivate Care 66
Principle #4: Restore 76
Principle #5: Activate 86
Vision Statement
The Emerald Ribbon
envisions a future
Jordan River corridor that
is a ribbon of nature through
Salt Lake City, a community
crossroads, and the heart of
the Westside. It is a model of
care for people, wildlife, and
ecosystems.
Cottonwood Park
Glendale Oxbow
Modesto Park
Fairpark Urban Core
Rose Park Nature Area
1700 South
Future Surplus Canal Trail
Folsom Trail
9-Line Trail
600 North
N Temple
Care Culture
Connectivity
Nature
Action Plan Values
34 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Connectivity
The lens of Connectivity focuses on the role of
the corridor as a critical connector between
parks, homes, and businesses. The 10 miles of
river that flow through Salt Lake City are part
of a large and growing system of trails and
waterways but also serve as critical mobility
infrastructure within neighborhoods on the
Westside. Residents want to use both the trail
and the waterway as a transportation method
more integral to daily life. A thoughtful,
holistic approach to the Emerald Ribbon as a
connectivity system across water and land can
make the corridor more accessible for both
locals and visitors alike.
Care
The lens of Care focuses on the
intersectionality of the other lenses: we must
care for nature for it to sustain us in return.
We must maintain a trail for it to remain
useful to the community over time. We must
create opportunities for people to thrive
for a place to feel vibrant. Perceptions and
realities of deferred maintenance on the
corridor have shaped public feeling about the
Emerald Ribbon in the past. Centering Care
will be crucial to the success of the Emerald
Ribbon moving forward. Thinking in terms
of generations, not just the next few years,
will ensure that investments made now are
thoughtfully designed to flourish over time.
Nature
The lens of Nature highlights the needs of the
natural ecosystem along the Jordan River.
Across all community engagement, restoring a
vibrant natural ecosystem was the #1 priority.
The Jordan River is home to over 700 plant
and animal species today. As one of the four
rivers that feed into the shrinking Great Salt
Lake, it will play a critical role in the whole
region’s resilience in the coming decades.
The momentum and support for serious
restoration projects on the corridor is clear.
Culture
The lens of Culture focuses on the needs of
Westside residents. The Emerald Ribbon
runs right through the heart of some of Salt
Lake City’s most diverse, culturally vibrant,
and historically disinvested neighborhoods.
While the corridor has more parkland than
elsewhere in the city, residents express a
frustration that they often find themselves
traveling east to enjoy the city’s best public
places. By better leveraging the hundreds of
acres of publicly-owned land along the Jordan
River corridor for the benefit of the surrounding
community, the Emerald Ribbon can become
a cultural destination that makes the Westside
thrive.
The Action Plan • 35
Cottonwood Park
Glendale Oxbow
Modesto Park
Rose Park Nature Area
Fairpark Urban Core
Nature
The plan recommends that the area currently
managed as natural lands (now 14% of the
study area) be increased to at least 30% of
the study area. This would mean a shift of
management techniques in those areas to
focus on the restoration of native species,
creation of new wetlands and natural habitats,
and the design of nature experiences for
people.
Some of the goals most focused on Nature
include:
+Enhancing Nature Experiences (1.1)
+Creating Biodiverse Habitat (1.2)
+Making Room for the River (4.1)
+Keep the River Clean by Managing the
Source of Pollution (3.4)
+Expand Restored Natural Lands (4.3)
Note: the numbers above indicate where to
find the goal in the Action Plan. (1.1) indicates
Guiding Principle 1, Goal 1.
Park, Golf and RAC
Natural Lands
Natural Focus Area
1700 South
California Ave
Indiana Ave
700 North
1000 North
N Temple
200 South
90
0
W
Re
d
w
o
o
d
R
o
a
d
(R
o
u
t
e
6
8
)
Poplar Grove Blvd
600 North
36 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Cottonwood Park
Glendale Oxbow
Modesto Park
Fairpark Urban Core
Rose Park Nature Area
Culture
The plan proposes to increase investment in
community resources and invest in new public
amenities throughout the corridor, focused
at specific hubs designed to minimize impact
on the natural environment and concentrate
maintenance resources. Many of these center
on existing parks, where the plan’s goals work
in concert to better meet the community’s
needs.
Some of the goals most focused on Culture
include:
+Expand Public Art Programs (1.3)
+Celebrate & Support the Culture of the
Westside (1.4)
+Bring Programming to the River and
River’s Edge (5.1)
+Support Small Businesses and
Commercial Activation (5.2)
+Create Flexible Event and Gathering
Spaces (5.5)
Activity Hub
1700 South
California Ave
Indiana Ave
700 North
1000 North
N Temple
200 South
90
0
W
Re
d
w
o
o
d
R
o
a
d
(R
o
u
t
e
6
8
)
Poplar Grove Blvd
600 North
The Action Plan • 37
TRAX Green Line
9-Line Trail
Folsom Trail
Future Surplus Canal Trail
Connectivity
The plan proposes to improve the trail
network on the corridor, optimizing for all
user types and better connecting into both
neighborhoods and other trails. An increase
in safe, easy-to-access boat ramps can also
increase activity on the water and further
galvanize public support for water quality
improvement efforts.
Some of the goals most focused on
Connectivity include:
+Create Safer and More Visible
Intersections (2.1)
+Improve Neighborhood Connections (2.2)
+Expand Trail Widths and Separate Paths
Where Possible (2.3)
+Improve Wayfinding and Signage and
Resolve Confusing Trail Connections (2.4)
+Bring Programming to the Water and
Waters Edge (5.1)
+Improve Trail-Side Amenities (5.4)
Trailhead
Water Access
Trailhead & Water Access
Safer Intersection
Safer Intersection with Trailhead & Water Access
1700 South
California Ave
Indiana Ave
700 North
1000 North
N Temple
200 South
90
0
W
Re
d
w
o
o
d
R
o
a
d
(R
o
u
t
e
6
8
)
Poplar Grove Blvd
600 North
38 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Care
The plan centers Care as a theme throughout
all goals and strategies, but emphasizes
in particular the need to address issues of
public safety, streamline management to
support other investments on the corridor, and
collaborate with the community to steward
the Emerald Ribbon long-term.
Some of the goals most focused on Care
include:
+Develop Clear Public-Facing Guidelines
for Care (3.1)
+Partner with the Community to Steward
the Corridor (3.2)
+Leverage Policy to Protect and Enhance
the River (4.4)
+Develop a Multi-Pronged Approach to
Public Safety (5.3)
The Action Plan • 39
Guiding Principles
The 5 Guiding Principles were created in
Phase 1 of the Action Plan process in close
collaboration with the Community Advisory
Group. They emerged from community
priorities voiced in focus groups hosted by
University Neighborhood Partners and at
public workshops around the corridor. These
principles hold the plan accountable to what
matters most to Westside residents and serve
as the chapters of the Emerald Ribbon Action
plan.
Celebrate the rich
ecological and cultural
diversity of the corridor.
Connect the corridor
into surrounding streets,
trails, and waterways.
1
2
Cultivate collective
care of the corridor.
Restore and enhance
the river ecosystem as
a peaceful refuge.
Create a safe and
vibrant destination.
3 4
5
Action Plan Chapters
The Emerald Ribbon Guiding Principles form the chapters of the Action Plan. The Goals on the following pages provide a roadmap for how Salt Lake City Public Lands can advance each of the community’s Guiding Principles. Each goal is supported by a series of Strategies and Action to advance that goal.
Celebrate the rich ecological and cultural diversity of the corridor.1 Pg 44
Connect the corridor into surrounding streets, trails, and waterways.2
Cultivate collective
care of the corridor.3
Restore and enhance the river ecosystem as a peaceful refuge.4
44Create a safe and
vibrant destination.5
Pg 54
Pg 66
Pg 76
Pg 88
1Celebrate the rich
ecological and
cultural diversity
of the corridor.
Prioritize creating a healthy environment to increase biodiversity and improve water quality.
Provide places and spaces to learn about the history and biodiversity of the ecosystem.
Pop-up markets,
food trucks, or events
that highlight small
businesses and celebrate
the rich history and
cultural diversity of the
Westside!
quotes from the com
m
u
nit
y
what you shared
Goals
1 Focus on nature experiences 46
2 Create biodiverse habitat 48
3 Expand art programs on the corridor 50
4 Celebrate and support the culture of the Westside 52
The Action Plan • 45
Goal #1Focus on nature experiences
For many years, the Jordan River has served as
a natural and cultural sanctuary for Salt Lake
City, especially for the Westside community.
However, it has recently faced increasing
challenges related to safety and cleanliness.
The community has fond memories of
engaging with nature along the river corridor
and has expressed a desire to experience
that more frequently. It is crucial to restore
natural areas and improve access to them.
Doing so will increase the visibility of the river
corridor, promote public awareness, and
foster collective care for the area. This will help
maintain it as a healthy habitat where wildlife
can thrive and people can enjoy nature.
Love the nature play for kids + outdoor classrooms!
Fairpark
section
should have an
educational section;
it sees a lot at tourists
and visitors and
needs activation.
I like more
wetlands! It
make the nature
experience more
complete.
what you shared
46 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Kingsbury Commons
This lush green space features well-maintained walking paths that
wind through a diverse array of native plants and mature trees.
Kingsbury Commons is a cherished retreat and connects visitors to
nature without having to leave the city.
Strategy 1:
Create a comprehensive interpretation and signage plan for the corridor.
Actions:
+Create an Request for Proposal (RFP)
for interpretive design of the corridor
in conjunction with natural restoration
efforts with a focus on human-nature
connections (see: Goal #3: Expand Public
Art programs for opportunity to engage
artists in all or part of this work).
Strategy 2:
Promote citizen science with a focus on youth programming.
Actions:
+Develop and test multilingual (Spanish-
centric) nature education programs led
by Park Rangers on the Emerald Ribbon
in collaboration with local community
partners, including Northwest Recreation
Center, Sorenson Unity Center, and K-12
schools along the Emerald Ribbon.
+Conduct listening sessions with local
schools and youth programs to
understand how the Park Rangers and
Public Lands can increase a sense of
safety and reinvigorate youth interest in
nature on the corridor.
+Support the use of i-Naturalist & e-Bird
within the corridor.
+Explore ways for Public Lands to engage
youth in leadership and career building
opportunities, including through Youth
Ranger programs, apprenticeships, Utah
Conservation Corp, and the creation of a
Youth Community Council.
Austin, TX nature care
The Action Plan • 47
Goal #2
Create
biodiverse
habitat
The Jordan River corridor provides habitat
for over 700 plant and animal species.
These species depend on the river’s riparian,
wetland, and upland habitats that form a
vital connector through the urbanized Salt
Lake Valley. More than half of the corridor’s
open space is mowed or taken over by invasive
species (i.e. phragmites), which impedes the
potential for a truly biodiverse landscape.
Restorating open space that is currently
occupied by turf grass or invasive species will
drastically increase biodiversity of the corridor.
Incorporating native plant specimens into the
corridor will also help reach this goal.
I think the
focus for now
should be on
biodiversity and
wildlife habitat
Prioritize
creating a healthy
environment to
increase biodiversity and
improve water quality
to make it more
sustainable.
I would love to see space for wetlands + wildlife. Natural environment!
48 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Strategy 1:
Implement riparian, upland, and wetland restoration.
Actions:
+Map out opportunities for restoration
throughout the corridor based on
topography, water table, soils, adjacent
uses, current use, and ease of transition
(completed as a part of this project).
+Prioritize areas for restoration (completed
as a part of this project).
+Utilize an adaptive management
approach and phasing to allow for
capacity building within the maintenance
crews as outlined in the Operations &
Management Guidelines.
+Utilize on-staff restoration ecologist
to promote cultivation to supplement
nursery availability and support the
propagation of native plants and seeds in
the regional nursery trade.
Strategy 2:
Monitor progress towards restoration goals.
Actions:
+Utilize and promote citizen science to
track biodiversity.
+Utilize volunteers to track invasive species
occurrences and reductions.
Red Butte Garden
At Red Butte Garden in Salt Lake City, native plantings are carefully
curated and wetland areas are carefully managed and restored.
Together, the resulting landscapes serve as a vital habitat for a
diverse array of flora and fauna.
Salt Lake City, UT
Operations & Management Plan
A separate document, the Operations and Management Plan (O&M Plan), recommends standards and practices for Public Lands to implement moving forward to establish a new approach to care and management of the Emerald Ribbon and advance the goals of the Action Plan.
nature care
The Action Plan • 49
Goal #3
Expand art
programs on
the corridor
Art has the power to tell stories and reflect
culture in the landscape. In the Westside,
where such a vibrant mix of global cultures
are represented, immigrants from around the
world crave a sense of place that connects
them both to Salt Lake City and to their earlier
homes. In focus groups with Spanish-speaking
residents, people expressed interest in spaces
for local artists to exhibit work where art and
wellbeing could coexist. Public art is already
leveraged to great effect by the city. A focus
on uplifting Westside artists towards the goal
of celebrating the neighborhoods’ cultural
heritage should be woven throughout the
Emerald Ribbon.
Art is vital to a healthy community. I would love to see that be prioritized in these developments!
Work
with local
businesses,
private land owners
and other city entities
to develop more art
along the JRT
corridor.
Love room for community business and murals! Would love to see public art!
50 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Strategy 1:
Leverage local artists in advancing other goals in the Action Plan, including safer intersections, the design and programming of flexible event spaces, and nature interpretation experiences.
Actions:
+Develop art guidelines for the Emerald
Ribbon.
+Launch an Emerald Ribbon Artist-in-
Residence program that offers a stipend
to a Westside artist, and grant that person
access to early project ideation.
+Create an RFP for an artist-led cultural
interpretation experience that allows
visitors to learn more about the past,
present, and future of the historic
landscapes of the Emerald Ribbon,
including narratives of the area’s
indigenous peoples and present-day
cultural communities.
+Partner with SLC Public Services Street
Division and the Arts Council to determine
ways to incorporate art into street design
for safer and more visible intersections
that also create more awareness of the
river for street users.
Strategy 2:
Develop community-led beautification programs.
Actions:
+Identify locations and amenities on the
corridor suitable for community-led
beautification, like bridges, pavilions,
benches, and tables.
+Facilitate ongoing partnership with
community and volunteer groups
to beautify (and do aesthetic-level
maintenance) on corridor facilities and
amenities.
Strategy 3:
Create sustainable funding
pipelines for ongoing art
programming.
Actions:
+Advocate for Salt Lake City Arts Council
funding to be allocated towards approved
Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) along
the Emerald Ribbon.
+Develop private and philanthropic
partnerships to fund arts programming
on the Emerald Ribbon.
Cooper’s Alley
This revitalized alleyway features an inviting mix of green spaces, art
installations, and pedestrian-friendly pathways, creating a dynamic
environment for residents and visitors alike. Colorful murals and
interactive features celebrate local culture and creativity.
Chattanooga, TN culture care
The Action Plan • 51
Goal #4
Celebrate and
support the
culture of the
Westside
Westside residents shared dreams of a
future place that fosters long-term multi-
generational use and celebrates the diverse
and dynamic cultures represented on the
Westside. Community members expressed
special concern for small business support and
services to connect residents (especially youth)
to economic opportunity. Likewise, through
both art and business offerings, residents
want to see their culture represented on the
Emerald Ribbon. While developing a cohesive
and continuous trail experience is paramount,
emphasizing and celebrating the cultural
diversity of adjacent neighborhoods should
happen in parallel.
Create a
program for
a small business
trail. The trail lacks
destinations, i.e., ice
cream,tacos, clothes
shops, sandwiches,
etc...
Painted
crossings or
gateways would
be great to develop
community
ownership.
52 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Strategy 1:
Partner with local organizations and small businesses to increase programming and build community representation and ownership of the Jordan River.
Actions:
+Create formal agreements with local
organizations to regularly program flexible
event spaces and/or outdoor classrooms
to ensure ongoing activity at such spaces.
+Audit existing Public Lands’ vendor
agreements and identify ways to better
support small businesses in pursuing
opportunities with Public Lands.
+Explore what internal resources are
needed to build out a bigger vendor
program beyond the few vending
agreements in place today for services
like kayak rental, bike rental, and food and
drink on the corridor.
LaGuardia Community Greenway
The LaGuardia Community Greenway is a transformative urban
project spanning several miles designed to enhance pedestrian-
friendly connectivity. Residents celebrate the borough’s diverse
culture using the greenway’s vibrant outdoor social spaces.
Queens, NY
Strategy 2:
Create gateways onto the trail on the border into a new neighborhood (ie. Glendale, Poplar Grove, Fairpark, Rose Park) to let people know when they’re entering those neighborhoods.
Actions:
+In conjunction with an artist-led
interpretive system to highlight the
area’s history and present day culture,
create highly visible signage to mark the
entrance to a new neighborhood on the
corridor.
+Create visible gateways at entrances from
major roadways to improve visibility to
drivers and cyclists.
nature connectivityculture care
The Action Plan • 53
2Connect the corridor
into surrounding
streets, trails, and
waterways
Trail intersections
are a great way to
support access to the
other side of the road.
Having lights to support
pedestrians would
help.
We need more small bridges to be able to cross the river.
What if the river
became the main
street corridor for Salt
Lake’s westside? The
spot you’re most likely to
catch your breath, meet a
friend for coffee, and
commute.
q u o tes from the co
m
m
u
n
i
t
y
Goals
1 Create safer and more visible intersections 56
2 Improve neighborhood connectivity to parks and the trail 58
3 Expand trail widths and separate riding and pedestrian paths where possible to reduce conflict 60
4 Improve wayfinding and signage and resolve confusing trail connections 62
5 Improve water access points and connectivity to the river 64
The Action Plan • 55
Goal #1Create safer and more visible intersections
Along its 10-mile run through Salt Lake City,
the Jordan River intersects the street grid of
the City dozens of times. At each intersection,
the Jordan River Trail must contend with many
different kinds of crossing and streets - from
quieter stretches in residential areas to large
arteries at neighborhood edges. Only a few
of these intersections are grade-separated
by either a tunnel (underpass) or a bridge
(overpass). The great majority are at grade.
This goal emphasizes the need for consistent,
safe crossings that are legible to both those on
the trail and those traveling on the street grid.
Make sure
intersections
are safe by
implementing car
slow down
Need better
traffic calming
at crossing: raised
crosswalks, curb,
flashing lights that
are maintained.
Painted
crossings!
Or gateways
would be great to
develop community
ownership.
what you shared
56 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Denver High Line Canal
This 71-mile trail is a popular recreational path for walkers, joggers,
and cyclists and features approximately 26 underpasses that allow
the trail to seamlessly cross various streets, enhancing its accessibility
and continuity while providing a safe passage for trail users.
Denver, CO
Strategy 1:
Provide safe crossings.
Actions:
+Clearly identify all at-grade crossings and
highlight the desired and safest path of
travel using colored concrete, painting,
paving, and/or signage.
+Explore potential for underpasses or
overpasses at high-volume and/or high-
speed intersections including at North
Temple St.
+Provide signalized crossings at trail
intersections with busy streets. Implement
pedestrian-activated flashing beacons at
minor streets.
+Explore potential for expanding and
enhancing waiting areas or pedestrian
refuges at busy streets (with shade,
signage and amenities).
Strategy 2:
Provide a clear, recognizable, and continuous trail experience.
Actions:
+Develop a unifying palette of materials:
paving, lighting, site amenities, and
signage, to ensure a unified and clear
system at all crossings.
+Create prominent and legible signage to
identify and reinforce crossings and alert
drivers to trail users at any crossing.
nature culture connectivity
The Action Plan • 57
Goal #2Improve neighborhood connectivity to parks and the trail
The Emerald Ribbon has the potential to
be a highly connected corridor; today it
faces challenges stemming from historic
transportation injustices on the Westside and
the piecemeal development and maintenance
of the trail. The Jordan River Trail is unique in
that it serves as a critical connective tissue
within and between Westside neighborhoods
in addition to its role as a commuting and
recreation corridor. Short travel journeys
matter just as much as longer ones.
Throughout the Jordan River corridor, there
are many different points of connection
between adjacent neighborhoods, trails,
and open space resources. Sometimes these
connections are clear and welcoming, with
signage and amenities that signal the corridor
as a place for all people. In many instances,
however, the River is barely visible or made
inaccessible by either design or lack thereof.
This goal emphasizes the opportunities for a
more consistently welcoming, accessible, and
inclusive series of connections.
Access to the
river, connectivity
and safe transitions
from areas are all
important.
Opening and connecting homes in a safe way to the river.
Providing
a connection
with the river for
people to be more
connected to it
58 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
The Katy Trail
This trail, built on an old railroad right-of-way, links multiple
neighborhoods and provides a recreational corridor that promotes
walking, biking, and community interaction. Its success highlights the
potential of rail trails to integrate various parts of a city.
Dallas, TX
Strategy 1:
Complete the trail on both sides of the river (whether paved or soft surface).
Actions:
+Where repeated foot traffic has already
worn informal trails into the landscape,
improve connection from those unpaved
trails to the paved trail.
+Establish a multi-year plan with the city’s
legal and real estate teams to reduce
encroachments onto the river.
Strategy 2:
Conduct a study of possible
street closures to enhance
connectivity to parks and the
trail.
Actions:
+Complete a traffic analysis to determine
whether there is potential to close low-
traffic streets adjacent to the Emerald
Ribbon. Potential opportunities include
300 S and Fremont Ave.
Strategy 3:
Increase local neighborhood cut throughs to the corridor.
Actions:
+Conduct an assessment of frequency of
street access to the Jordan River Trail and
establish a baseline target for how often
there should be a connection (potential
baseline could be 0.25 miles, which takes
an able-bodied person 5 minutes to walk).
+Add new trail connections to streets and
into neighborhoods to ensure no user has
to walk/ride further than 5-10 minutes to
get on or off the trail via ADA-accessible
trail connections.
+Priority projects include: Gold Place
at Modesto Park, connection into
Northwest Recreation Center and
adjacent streets, Walnut Street
near Og-Woi People’s Garden, the
northeastern corner of Cottonwood
Park, connection into the Southern
section of Riverside Park, and access
to Redwood Road between 1000 N
and 1900 N.
connectivity
The Action Plan • 59
Goal #3Expand trail widths and separate riding and pedestrian paths where possible to reduce conflict
Today, the trail is 10 feet wide at most points, two
feet under the NACTO recommended width for
a two-directional shared use trail. That means
that pedestrians, cyclists, and other riders are
exposed to potentially dangerous conflicts if
multiple people are on the trail and passing
at the same time. Expanding the trail width is
critical if the city intends to increase usage. In
line with other goals in the Action Plan, there is
interest in creating nature paths along the trail
as well as moving the trail further back from
the river to make room for habitat restoration.
In engagement activities, separating a ‘fast
lane’ from slower, unpaved pedestrian routes
that wind through nature experiences was very
popular. This strategy is focused on improving
the trail experience while meeting both needs.
Would
love to
see bridges
wide enough for
pedestrian + cyclist
to pass each
other.
If you can
make the trail
wide enough, separate
lanes for walking and
biking would improve safety.
Many of us have pets so a
few access points for dogs
would be nice.
Recommend widening the existing trail to 12’ to better accomodate all trail users.
60 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Chicago, IL
Strategy 1:
Conduct inventory of existing trail system condition.
Actions:
+Conduct a trail inventory and condition
assessment to assess trail widths,
materials used, and facility conditions.
+Use the inventory to set priorities for
replacement.
Strategy 2:
Replace existing trail over the
next ten years to meet new
standards.
Actions:
+Develop new trail standards for the
Emerald Ribbon in three types: shared use
paths (where all modes share the trail),
separated use paths (with different modes
of travel have separated trails), and soft
surface nature trails.
+Complete path between Fisher Mansion
and Cottonwood Park to new standards,
including separated use paths and nature
trails.
Strategy 3:
Develop new bridge standards and develop a plan for gradual replacement of the most narrow bridges.
Actions:
+Conduct an evaluation of all existing
bridges for safety and maintenance
needs.
+Gradually replace bridges with a new
standard width for multi-use trails and
replace wooden boards with a bike/
scooter-friendly flooring material.
+Evaluate visibility of bridges from the
trail and remove vegetation. Add lighting
where needed to enhance feeling of
safety.
Chicago Lakefront Trail
This multi-use path along Lake Michigan connects diverse
neighborhoods, offers recreational opportunities, and enhances
connectivity within a city. The path network utilizes creative design
strategies to separate bikes and pedestrian traffic.
connectivity
The Action Plan • 61
Goal #4Improve wayfinding and signage and resolve confusing trail connections
While the trail is consistently available along
the 10-mile study area, the need to improve
confusing decision points and develop clear and
consistent wayfinding emerged as a priority
across stakeholder and public engagement.
Whether for short local trips by foot or longer
journeys on wheels, the trail’s existing signage,
while informative, is inconsistent at indicating
connections to other trails or roadways. There
is an opportunity to better celebrate the
corridor’s role as a main artery and guide users
to surrounding amenities. Since the trail crosses
streets at over a dozen places along the Emerald
Ribbon, each intersection poses a challenge to
wayfinding: while some crossings have clear
sightlines to the trail on the other side, some lose
the trail and lack clear wayfinding to find it again.
Trail
signage
needs to be clear
to users who to stay
on the trail and which
way. Large “TRAIL”
arrows are
needed.
A universal
sign and
different color
code for each
district!
Better
signage so
that walkers stay
out of the bike
lanes (and vice
versa).
62 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Sarasota, FL
Strategy 1:
Develop a comprehensive wayfinding strategy under the jurisdiction of the Department of Public Lands.
Actions:
+Release an RFP for a complete wayfinding
and environmental signage system that
builds on the existing design.
+Launch a new user-friendly map
displaying the full Emerald Ribbon and its
connections to other trails and waterways
both in print and online.
Strategy 2:
Redesign and clearly mark
missing segments in the Jordan
River Trail.
Actions:
+North Temple Street trail redesign (see
Transformative Projects) - clarify land
ownership on the parcel of land north of
the N Temple intersection on the western
side of the corridor. Acquire any land
needed to complete the broken portion of
the trail.
+Redesign the trail segment north of 1700
S next to the pump station as a clearly
painted and marked on-road bike route
with wayfinding that indicates it is the JRT.
Strategy 3:
Improve connections to trails
that meet the Jordan River Trail.
Actions:
+Build new trail segment to connect
the Folsom Trail to the JRT at Fisher
Mansion, with a focus on restoring the
riparian ecology and developing nature
experiences.
+Redesign the intersection of the JRT
and the popular 9 Line Trail to reduce
confusion, improve wayfinding, and
maximize its potential as a key trail
crossroads.
+Facilitate better connectivity to the Surplus
Canal Trail (which is managed by Salt
Lake County); if the trail is redesigned as a
formal bicycle trail, build a clear and well
signed connection to the JRT.
+Collaborate with West Valley City to ensure
there is clear signage and wayfinding at
the intersection of Parley’s Trail and the
JRT, and add signage to tell JRT trail users
how to connect to Parley’s Trail.
Sarasota Bay Park
Paths meander across a 10-acre park that sits at the edge of
Sarasota Bay, connecting visitors with the site ecology. The trail uses
wayfinding and signage to amplify species, such as the Mangrove
Bayou Walkway.
culture connectivity
The Action Plan • 63
Goal #5Improve water access points and connectivity to the river
Kayaking and canoeing on the Jordan River
today is commonly considered an activity
only for the brave. There are accessible boat
ramps in a few locations, but many have been
poorly maintained and lack parking access
that would make them truly usable to boaters.
New trailheads have high quality boat ramps
and should be expanded into a more complete
system of water access that makes the water
trail accessible to a broader audience. Access
should also be prioritized for non-boaters through
improved water visibility, fishing overlooks, and
restored riverbanks that make walking down to
the river’s edge safe for all. During focus groups
facilitated by University Neighborhood Partners,
the Karen Community of the Westside, hailing
from Myanmar and Thailand, shared that the
Jordan River’s northward flow makes it a holy
river for their community. If the water was cleaner
and water access safer, the community would
engage in spiritual ceremonies along its edges.
I like seeing the
river flow because it
relaxes me - still a strong
relationship, when we walk by
it and see the flow run quickly,
i teach my kids about the
danger and power of
water.
I would love
to have a river
taxi to take you to
businesses on the
river.
64 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
State of NY
Strategy 1:
Provide increased access points to the river.
Actions:
+Create a system of water access points,
with larger entrance and exit points
(boat ramps with adjacent parking) at
significant public park sites and minor
access points (for boaters to rest or pause)
at public nodes.
+Develop a high quality standard for boat
ramp design that utilizes best practices
to ensure accessibility for a variety of
recreational needs and abilities.
+Create overlooks that allow for water
views and fishing access.
+Include public access points in all
riverbank restoration projects, increasing
options for people of all abilities to safely
walk down to the water’s edge.
Strategy 2:
Add signage on the water trail at each overpass or bridge.
Actions:
+Incorporate signage facing the water trail
to indicate to boaters which cross-street
they are passing.
+Add wayfinding signage for boaters to
indicate upcoming boat ramps and water
access and exit points.
+Add wayfinding signage for boaters to
indicate nearby points of interest, such as
adjacent parks, Fisher Mansion, etc.
New York State Canal System
The New York State Canal Corporation and the Erie Canalway
National Heritage Corridor offer competitive grants to enhance
access and connections to the canal system, providing funding for
recreational amenities, wayfinding signage, events, and more.
nature culture connectivity
The Action Plan • 65
3Cultivate collective
care of the corridor
A healthy river in SLC requires great collaboration with everyone upstream.
My dream is that
every person in SLC
understands and feels
their personal connection
to the Jordan River and
its watershed.
what you shared
Goals
1 Establish a public narrative around “Keeping it Wild”68
2 Partner with the community to steward the corridor 70
3 Develop an effective long-term care model for the corridor 72
4 Keep the river clean by managing the sources of pollution 74
The Action Plan • 67
Goal #1Establish a public narrative around ‘Keeping it Wild’
Across stakeholder and public engagement,
there is a strong perception that public
land along the Emerald Ribbon is under-
maintained compared to park land elsewhere
in Salt Lake City. The more robust Operations
& Management Guidelines (O&M Guidelines)
that accompanies this plan substantiates
some of those concerns and found that many
management teams are under-resourced
and tend to be stretched across many acres of
land city-wide, making it challenging to meet
their goals. The O&M Guidelines puts forth a
roadmap to address consistent management
inequities on the corridor. In addition, with
the goal to increase the percentage of lands
managed as natural lands on the corridor
(see Guiding Principle #4, Goal 3), it will be
important to set standards for what the public
will see when they visit natural areas. Natural
lands and restoration areas can be seen as
messy or unkempt, especially in early stages;
setting expectations will allow city staff to
manage the corridor in a proactive rather than
reactive manner.
Current facilities and landscapes are poorly maintained, esp. south of jordan park, would want to be convinced of the parks depts intention to maintain.
My dream for
the future of the
Westside is local
stewardship to maintain
it clean and support
its well-being.
what you shared
68 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Strategy 1:
Streamline management areas within the Emerald Ribbon and support an increase in natural lands.
Actions:
+Update management areas within the
Emerald Ribbon (whether by reducing
the number of land types or developing
Emerald-Ribbon specific areas), allowing
for more streamlined management
protocols.
+Develop clear and consistent
management guidelines for natural lands.
+Invest in professional training for Public
Lands staff to support the growing focus
on natural lands and restoration efforts
on the Emerald Ribbon.
Strategy 2:
Clearly communicate difference
between natural lands and
park lands and their differing
management standards.
Actions:
+Include the designation of Natural vs. Park
lands in public-facing maps and guides to
the Emerald Ribbon (see Goal #3 Improve
Wayfinding - Action 3.1.2).
+Create new, user-friendly park signage
at gateways to parks to differentiate
between parks as compared to the
corridor as a whole.
Strategy 3:
Integrate environmental education efforts into existing Public Lands processes.
Actions:
+Develop restoration education materials
and programming to occur alongside
regular volunteer events.
+Expand environmental education
programs led by Park Rangers and
develop corridor-wide programming
focused on interpreting ecology and
restoration efforts.
+Collaborate with the school district to
identify experiential and nature-based
education partnerships to activate spaces
as outdoor classrooms.
Strategy 4:
Create visitor-centric native
restoration areas in the
corridor with a focus on visually
appealing species.
Actions:
+Develop three to four priority restoration
demonstration areas accessible via
boardwalks or overlooks that protect
species growth while allowing visitors to
interact with the project.
+Develop design standards for overlooks
and/or boardwalks into natural
restoration areas. Develop signage
standards for restoration zones.
+Develop fencing standards to thoughtfully
protect restoration areas from human
intervention while also making them
appealing and visible to visitors.
The Action Plan • 69
Goal #2Partner with the community to steward the corridor
Partnerships with community organizations
and neighbors will help care for the corridor
as well bolster the sense of community on the
Westside. While many of these partnerships do
currently exist, organizing tasks for volunteers
and landowners will create an efficient
system to get work done. Public Lands’ new
Stewardship Program is an excellent start
and should be further invested in to ensure
that community members build a vested
interest in the health of the Emerald Ribbon.
The program’s existing volunteer events
centered around clean-ups and planting
should be expanded on the Emerald Ribbon
in coordination with restoration efforts. The
program can also fold in consideration of
adjacent landowners as a key population to
engage and educate about the goals of this
plan.
I know I would like to
volunteer time helping
clean up the river and
parks and learn more about
the habitat and what I
can do at home to help
indigenous species.
Let’s clean
out the trash
everywhere! This
could be a monthly
volunteer clean
up event.
More organized
opportunities for the
public to help clean the
river. An “adopt a section
of the river” program
where individuals help
maintain sections.
70 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Newburyport, MA
Strategy 1:
Create opportunities for ongoing stewardship within the corridor in partnership with local organizations.
Actions:
+Work with organizations to create at least
30 volunteer events within the next 3 years
(towards the goal of 10/year).
+Use the O&M Guidelines to create
task oriented projects for volunteer
organizations to take on.
+Develop a 1-year pilot partnership with
2-3 organizations who are well equipped
to leverage volunteer efforts within a
portion of the corridor. Evaluate pilots and
consider expansion if effective.
Strategy 2:
Create guidelines and incentives for landowners in the study area to care for native landscapes.
Actions:
+Create a pamphlet to distribute to
landowners in the next year. The pamphlet
should include information specifically
about how to plant and manage native
plants on private property, how to reduce
impervious surfaces, and the role of green
infrastructure.
+Create incentives for landscape
restoration/management. List existing
incentives (i.e. turf trade).
Mass Audubon Salt Marsh Science Project
Mass Audubon engages students in grades 5 through 12 to learn
about salt marshes and how to manage invasive species along
the North Shore. Data collected from the project since 1996 helps
scientists guide others on how to restore the marsh ecologies.
nature culture care
The Action Plan • 71
Goal #3Develop an effective long-term care model for the corridor
Operating and managing the Emerald Ribbon
is already a highly collaborative effort between
the city, county, state, federal agencies, and
private actors. There are many well organized
community-based organizations who work
near or around the corridor and are invested
in its success, but these groups have little
formal support from Public Lands to engage
on the Emerald Ribbon and no venue in
which to collaborate or exchange ideas. The
Community Advisory Group and Dinner on
the River events show the potential for these
groups to overlap more frequently. It is rare
today for successful urban river corridors
to be managed and operated entirely by
public entities. The most effective care and
governance model for the Emerald Ribbon
likely includes a new approach to public-
private partnership.
I have some concern about the three different maintenance groups being able to work together consistently.
The concept seems most suited to gather community support to maintain it.
72 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Strategy 1:
Support the development of a private governance body to coordinate stakeholders and advocate for the success of the Emerald Ribbon.
Actions:
+Evaluate the best model for public-private
partnerships on the corridor and the
potential for a conservancy or “Friends-of”
groups.
+Gather key players to plan the creation
of a private entity that can bridge gaps
in staff capacity, raise funding, and lead
program development.
+Consider developing a quarterly gathering
of stakeholders to build ongoing
momentum for work on the corridor and
encourage collaboration.
Strategy 2:
Assess overlapping jurisdictions in the corridor related to care and management. Organize a cross-departmental group to evaluate and streamline ownership between departments.
Actions:
+Audit management practices at Public
Lands that are duplicated by the activities
of other public-sector and private-sector
partners, like tree removal from the
waterway.
+Identify which duplicated management
practices Public Lands wants to take
clearer ownership of or more formally
offload, especially in conjunction with
increased investment in volunteer and
nonprofit support.
+Organize an inter-agency group of city,
county, and state stakeholders to develop
a streamlined management approach in
conjunction with the recommendations in
this plan.
Franklin Park Coalition
The Franklin Park Coalition focuses on revitalizing the 527-acre
park’s natural features with maintenance largely carried out by
local volunteers and community members. The Coalition engages
residents in both stewardship practices and community events.
Boston, MA nature culture care
The Action Plan • 73
Goal #4
Manage the
sources of water
pollution
The water quality within the Emerald Ribbon
is poor due to a number of intersecting
factors: significant improvements can be
made by addressing point source and non
point source pollution. This plan recognizes
that many conditions within the Emerald
Ribbon stem from factors outside the study
area. Collaboration with Salt Lake City Public
Utilities is crucial to addressing water quality
issues. Studies have identified dissolved
oxygen and E. coli levels out of compliance
with state and federal regulations within
theJordan River in Salt Lake City. By working
with Public Utilities more closely, Public
Lands can advance the goal of a swimmable
Jordan River by advocating for green water
infrastructure, pet waste reduction programs,
and innovative practices that benefit Salt Lake
City, the county, and the state.
I hope that the bulk of any improvements in all areas starts with clean water and increased flow.
I think water
quality will be
critical to make
water access work
here.
74 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Anacostia Waterfront Initiative
The Anacostia Waterfront Initiative focuses on enhancing water quality
and restoring ecosystems through monitoring, community involvement,
and sediment cleanup efforts, addressing historical contamination to
promote biodiversity and improve environmental health in the region.
Washington, D.C.
Strategy 1:
Support Public Utilities use of SLC right-of-way draining to the Emerald Ribbon for green infrastructure.
Actions:
+Further analyze water quality problem
areas to determine how best to treat
water before it reaches the Jordan
River utilizing green infrastructure best
practices.
+Implement green stormwater
infrastructure practices in all right-of-
way when water can affect water quality
in the Jordan River. Prioritize areas with
substantial stormwater outflows, water
quality issues, and ample right of way for
green stormwater infrastructure.
+Utilize existing precedents such as 900 S
and/ or others to create replicable green
stormwater infrastructure improvements
that can be duplicated throughout the
areas draining to the Jordan River.
Strategy 2:
Support Public Utilities in
evaluating waste systems in the
corridor and along tributaries
affecting the Jordan River.
Actions:
+As part of the Total Maximum Daily
Load (TMDL) study currently underway,
advocate for the evaluation of septic
systems in the corridor and along
tributaries for potential impacts to water
quality.
+Where appropriate, advocated for
modernization of wastewater systems in
the corridor and along tributaries that are
impacting or could impact water quality.
Strategy 3:
Highlight and enforce waste
reduction programs for pets
in the corridor and along
tributaries.
Actions:
+Install additional waste stations in the
corridor and along tributaries.
+Create a public information campaign
to highlight the need to keep pets on
leash adjacent to water bodies to reduce
erosion and contain wastes unless in off-
leash areas.
+Create buffers between off leash areas
and waterways to reduce the chances of
waste and erosion impacting the Jordan
River and its tributaries (i.e. Cottonwood
Park Dog Park).
nature culture care
The Action Plan • 75
4Restore and
enhance the river
ecosystem as a
peaceful refuge
Restore as much
natural area as
possible, and try to
acquire and purchase land
that is not currently being
used before it can be
developed.
I dream of clean water for the fish and fishing.
Heal the river and
its function to then
build recreation and
connection around
that.
`q u o t e s f r o m the com
m
u
n
it
y
`quotes from the com
m
u
n
it
y
Goals
1 Make room for the river 78
2 Expand restored natural lands 80
3 Introduce more visitors to natural areas and the river by connecting and expanding the Jordan River Parkway Trail system 82
4 Leverage policy to protect and enhance the river 84
The Action Plan • 77
Goal #1Make room for the river
The Jordan River’s banks and floodplains are
constrained due to fill, levees, and other flood
control structures that are used to protect
the adjacent neighborhoods. While these
adjacent land uses must be protected, there
is room in the river corridor to pull back levees
and grade down fill, creating more room for
floodwater and natural river dynamics. The
water quality within the Emerald Ribbon is
poor because of alterations to hydrology as
well as point source and non point source
pollution. Solutions for improved water quality
include getting more water into the system,
incorporating green infrastructure (especially
at outfalls), and adding complexity to the river
channel. These solutions will help dilute urban
runoff, filter urban stormwater, and maintain
flows and ecosystems during dry seasons.
Wider
banks would
encourage erosion
control, better
wildlife habitat &
safety buffer for
those using
path.
I love the wide river
banks that would
help support a healthier
habitat for birds &
animals.
Love extending and restoring banks more restoration overall - the river already is home to wildlife but we should make expanded banks.
what you
shared
78 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Strategy 1:
Move the levee away from the river.
Actions:
+Conduct a feasibility study with FEMA and
Salt Lake County to move and improve
the levee on the north end of the corridor
away from the banks in order to protect
more homes from flood risk while giving
the river room to flow.
Strategy 2:
Use grading changes to expand
floodplain volume, thereby
reducing flood threats, creating
more room for flow, and
expanding the opportunities for
riparian and wetland habitat
restoration.
Actions:
+Create overflow channel at 2100S oxbow
and restore wetlands and riparian areas.
+At 900 South River Park grade edge of
channel lower to create wetlands and
riparian areas.
+Use the recommended plant communities
data and priorities identified by the
Operations and Management Guidelines
to identify additional areas for wetland
and riparian restoration that benefit from
grading changes and expansion of the
floodplain.
Strategy 3:
Increase water flow into the corridor.
Actions:
+Work with Salt Lake County and the state
to increase flow in the main channel of the
river, which is currently being diverted to
the Surplus Canal due to a lack of overall
management. Negotiate flow to ensure
that any excess water - after water rights
and flood control requirements are met,
enters the Jordan River.
+Work with the Salt Lake County and
the County to modernize the diversion
system at 2100 S such that the system can
work remotely and be tied into flows at
City Creek and Three Creeks to allow for
greater flows while reducing flood risk.
+Create a multi governmental task force to
update practices and policies associated
with water divergence at 2100 S.
Strategy 4:
Restore natural channel
geometry to the River.
Actions:
+Work with the State and Salt Lake County
to evaluate stream channel geometry.
Identify opportunities to rebuild a pool/
riffle system at parts of the river that
better carry sediment loads during low
flow periods to create more diverse
riparian habitat and a more natural river
system.
+Implement at least two natural channel
design projects in the corridor in the next
three years with the state and county.
(priorities include 2100 S Oxbow, Peace
Labyrinth, and Rose Park).
The Action Plan • 79
Goal #2Expand restored natural lands
Expanding and restoring natural lands meets
the community goals and Salt Lake City’s goals to increase nature in the corridor and enhance human/nature experiences. More natural lands will bolster ecosystem services, provide important habitat for wildlife, and create comfortable and peaceful places for visitors. While expanding natural lands will be time and labor intensive up front, management of these areas over the long term will take less of the city’s resources than traditional park spaces.
Please
expand the
radius of protected
land and, if possible,
help some of the
bordering industrial
businesses to
relocate.
I’d love to see
expanded and
restored banks with
buffer zones.
My priorities
for the river
are to preserve,
expand, and improve
existing natural
areas along the
river.
80 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Chicago, IL
Strategy 1:
Increase natural lands from 14% to at least 30% of the corridor by 2035.
Actions:
+Change the management of underutilized
turf areas to natural areas within the next
3 years.
+Implement Adaptive Management
Practices to facilitate transition to natural
area management.
+Implement the priority restoration
areas identified in the Operations and
Management Guidelines within the next
five years.
Strategy 2:
Increase staffing along the corridor to facilitate transition in management.
Actions:
+Conduct specialty training for Parks
Division staff in landscape restoration
techniques appropriate for the corridor.
+Increase specially trained Parks staff and
Natural Resource Technicians.
The Wild Mile
The Wild Mile is an ambitious urban renewal project that transforms
a stretch of the Chicago River into a vibrant, green space dedicated
to ecology and recreation. The park features floating gardens,
wetlands, and elevated walkways.
nature culture connectivity care
The Action Plan • 81
Goal #3Introduce more visitors to natural areas and the river by connecting and expanding the Jordan River trail system
Salt Lake City is the only city in Salt Lake
County with an official riparian ordinance. The
Riparian Corridor Overlay District designates
a 100-foot buffer from the Annual High Water
Line (AHWL) and mandates no development requiring heavy equipment within 25 feet from the AHWL. Projects such as paths, stairs, or open patios are allowed with a permit. Between 25-50 feet from the AHWL, lighter construction is allowed as-of-right, but no new large structures are permitted. 50-100 feet from the AHWL, all development permitted by zoning is allowed, excluding leach fields, stormwater retention ponds, and commercial parking lots. While the ordinance is effective at creating a buffer for development, the existing ordinance does not include consideration of the trail, putting it at risk with
new development. Especially as the Fairpark
and Power District areas looks towards
major development activity, protecting and
expanding the trail and ecological health of
the river will be critical.
Ensure the trail is protected FROM development. Not WITH development.
Don’t
do all this
work/spend all
this money just
to hand it over to
developers.
Opening and connecting homes in a safe way to the river.
82 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
New Paltz, NY
Strategy 1:
Expand the existing riparian protection ordinance to include consideration of the Jordan River trail.
Actions:
+Increase development buffer widths
where possible as recommended
by the 2022 Jordan River Blueprint
Refresh. Support the preservation and
enhancement of buffers through voluntary
review by the Jordan River Commission
Technical Advisory Committee or staff.
+Update the Salt Lake City Riparian
Overlay District to include the requirement
for any large development projects within
the Overlay District to either develop new
segments of the Jordan River Trail or
protect and maintain the existing trail.
Strategy 2:
Enhance regional and local collaboration with riverfront landowners and trail stewards.
Actions:
+Invest in neighborhood connector
paths between the river trail, residential
neighborhoods, and key community
destinations.
+Consider right-of-way easements that
create density credits for development
projects along the river.
+Collaborate with the Jordan River
Commission and Salt Lake County
to create safe connections between
the Jordan River trail network and
surrounding communities.
River-to-Ridge Trail
The Open Space Institute protected 360 acres of land stretching
from the Wallkill River to the foothills of the Shawangunk Ridge from
further development in flood-prone land. In 2020, volunteers planted
100-foot vegetated buffers along the river full of native species.
nature culture care
The Action Plan • 83
Goal #4
Leverage policy
to protect and
enhance the river’s
ecological health
Salt Lake City can enhance the Jordan River
and surrounding developments by adopting
“environmental superiority” standards for
development practices along the corridor.
Advanced stormwater management systems,
riparian buffers, and green infrastructure will
protect water quality and support wildlife
habitats. Preserving open spaces for parks
and natural areas will foster community
cohesion and ecological health. These goals
can be achieved through policy and codes
that ensure forthcoming development
enhances and protects the river corridor. These
measures will improve residents’ quality of life
and make the Jordan River corridor a vibrant,
sustainable, and cherished part of the city.
Protect
and restore the
riparian zone while
also providing clear
access points to
get down to the
water.
Protecting and restoring the riparian zone while also providing clear access points to get down to the water, so people can access it without trailblazing across the protected areas.
The
river
itself needs
improvement
through control of
stormwater!
84 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
State of MA
Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act, 2014
The Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act safeguards wetlands
critical for flood control and habitat. It mandates permits for any
construction within 200 feet of a protected wetland, ensuring careful
management of potential impacts and ecological preservation.
Strategy 1:
Require the development within the corridor meet high standards of environmental superiority.
Actions:
+Work with the Salt Lake City Planning
Department to develop an Environmental
Superiority Policy that incentivizes meeting
higher standards of environmental
protection and human/nature connection
for projects within the Riparian Corridor
Overlay District, including requirements
for stormwater management, impervious
surface minimization, air quality, tree
canopy, public access to the corridor,
inclusion of public facilities along the
riverfront, and native landscaping
requirements.
+Support and/or require LEED and SITES
Certification or equivalent for construction
and landscape.
Strategy 2:
Develop eco-landscape
requirements for new
development projects.
Actions:
+Ensure at least 50% of the river’s edge on
any project is maintained in native plants
with at least a 50’ setback.
+Support and/or require landscapes in the
corridor to utilize native plants.
+Support and/or require landscapes in
the corridor to evaluate and enhance soil
fertility where needed.
+Support and/or require the use of green
infrastructure to enhance water quality
within the corridor.
Strategy 3:
Enforce and expand
development limitations in
riparian buffer zone in high
sensitivity areas.
Actions:
+Evaluate violations on Riparian Corridor
Overlay District requirements, prioritizing
areas of high environmental sensitivity
such as wetlands and restoration areas.
+Enforce Overlay District regulations, with
a focus on land uses that at higher risk to
pollute.
nature care
The Action Plan • 85
5Activate the
corridor to create
a safe and vibrant
destination
I would
love to see it
as a main artery
for walking + biking.
Street market +
festivals with food
trucks. The place
to be.
Help small local businesses to sell on the river. Have support on the river to assist people get their business permits.
q uotes from the c
o
m
m
unity
Goals
1 Bring programming to the water and water’s edge 88
2 Support small businesses and commercial activation 90
3 Develop multi-pronged approach to public safety on the corridor to address short-term and long-term goals 92
4 Improve trail side amenities 94
5 Create flexible event and gathering spaces 96
The Action Plan • 87
Goal #1Bring programming to the water and water’s edge
The Jordan River corridor is a unique
opportunity for immersion in nature in the City
and a continuous ribbon of greenway. Yet, the
river itself is often just a glimmer of reflection
through the trees; a visual asset just out of
reach. There are only a handful of places,
for instance, where users are welcomed to
engage the river itself. This goal emphasizes
the potential of intentional design to create
more access to the river’s edge and the water
itself through increased access points, more
diverse ways to access the river, and more
programming and uses that capitalize on the
presence of water.
Boat
rentals
is a great idea.
Dynamic interaction
with the water.
A destination
for families/
festivals.
I love the idea of
community murals
and kayak rentals
on the river!
A kayak launch sounds fantastic. I’d love to be able to walk to a place I can paddle.
what you
shared
88 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Hubbard Park
The new kayak launch at Hubbard Park provides the Village of
Shorewood with a new access point to the Milwaukee River. This
addition to the park expanded recreational amenities, and allows
visitors to experience the park from a unique vantage point.
Shorewood, WI
Strategy 1:
Diversify the activation and programming of the river.
Actions:
+Create opportunities for temporary and
permanent art installations that engage
the river and its surrounding natural and
cultural diversity.
+Increase the use of the river for fitness and
community-related uses like boat races,
community rides, and floats.
+Pursue programming partners for water
recreation, including a paddle or kayak
share program.
Strategy 2:
Make lively destinations at the river’s edge that improve symbolic, physical, and visual access to the river.
Actions:
+Work with SLC Community and
Neighborhoods (CAN) department and
local community-based organizations to
identify the process and partners needed
to create a true public access node at the
Fisher Mansion.
+Implement the focus area designs
to create an equitable distribution of
community spaces.
nature culture connectivity
The Action Plan • 89
Goal #2Support small businesses and commercial activation
Throughout the planning process,
community members expressed the desire
for more connection to the vibrant and
vital communities of West Salt Lake City.
One particular opportunity that frequently
emerged in dialogue was the potential
for more small business and commercial
activation to celebrate the unique and diverse
cultures of the Westside. The growth of
commercial and business opportunities near
the corridor can also provie places for pause,
rest, and refreshment to corridor users. This
goal recommends physical, programmatic,
and policy changes to encourage both the
short and long-term potential for more small
business and commercial activation along the
corridor.
Create
a program for
a small business trail
or river-oriented path
along the trail. The trail
lacks destinations like ice
cream, tacos, clothing
shops, sandwiches,
beer, and small
art.
I’d love to
see trail-side
small business
development at
key nodes.
Creation of a
community feeling
for the neighborhoods.
Add more space
for small/local
businesses.
90 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Pop-ups along the Bassin de la Villette
Eateries along the Bassin de la Villette in Paris activate the
waterfront, creating a vibrant pulse for visitors. These temporary
dining spots engage both locals and visitors at the water’s edge,
contributing to the city’s dynamic social scene.
Paris, FR
Strategy 1:
Understand and remove barriers to small business and commercial activation of the river.
Actions:
+Host listening sessions with business
owners and vendors to understand
barriers to use of the river corridor.
+Assess clarity of existing policies and
practices related to vendors on the river
corridor with an emphasis on identifying
places to streamline.
Strategy 2:
Develop a framework to identify sites and opportunities for activation.
Actions:
+Identify and outfit short-term and
temporary activation sites with
necessary infrastructure (power, lighting,
appropriately-scaled and designed
space).
+Inventory long-term sites for small
business and commercial activation
including existing and potential places
within a five-minute walk of parks along
the corridor that are easily accessible to
park visitors.
culture connectivity
The Action Plan • 91
Goal #3Develop multi-pronged approach to public safety on the corridor to address short-term and long-term goals
Patrolling to make sure homeless camps stay off and away from the trail will help the community feel safer. Lighting also is important.
Police
presence does
not equal safety for
all. There needs to be
a solution outside of
increasing police
patrols.
Though this Action Plan may not have any budget to improve social service resources, it must advocate for better access and outreach by the surrounding cities collectively.
Many of the goals and strategies in this Action
Plan are contingent on the ability for Salt
Lake City Public Lands and its partners to
address the increasing concerns over public
safety on the corridor today. Many places
on the corridor remain beloved and in high
use by the community, but other places are
increasingly avoided due to the presence
of campsites or individuals suffering from
substance abuse disorders. While this is a
complex issue tied closely to a national crisis
in housing, the impact on Public Lands and
the Emerald Ribbon in particular is stark. The
increasing concern over safety on the Jordan
River Corridor in the last five years must be
reversed for the Emerald Ribbon to succeed as
a thriving ecological and cultural place in Salt
Lake City.
92 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Village Green Park Redesign & Crime Reduction
Challenges around crime, drugs, and underutilization festered due
to poor park access from homes and the street. New amenities
and community programs boosted park use by 25%. Collaboration
between citizens, police, and nonprofits reduced crime by over 50%.
Macon, GA
Strategy 1:
Balance a services-first approach with increased police patrols.
Actions:
+Support an increase in patrols in close
coordination with the Salt Lake City Police
Department and Homeless Engagement
and Response Team (HEART) to address
illegal activity, increase top-of-funnel
coordination, and place more people into
supportive programs.
+Advocate for an increase in social services
budget and programs city-wide to
address the impact of housing insecurity
on the city’s parks.
+Continue to build interagency
collaboration and partnership through
the Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End
Homelessness and other similar bodies.
Strategy 2:
Shift amenities into higher visibility areas and activate street edges.
Actions:
+In all park redesigns and new investments, focus amenities like playgrounds, pavilions, grilling areas, and shade structures along street edges and in higher visibility areas with clear sightlines
to surrounding neighborhoods.
+Focus on the design and activation of
street edges in public lands, including the
improvement of gateways, park signage,
and welcoming trail connections at high-
visibility entrance points.
Strategy 3:
Improve methods to field complaints and concerns on the corridor.
Actions:
+Explore the potential to implement
an Emergency Call Box or mobile app
alert system along the Emerald Ribbon
Corridor in collaboration with the Salt
Lake City Police Department.
+Conduct an audit of the process of
submitting a complaint to the city
from the perspective of a resident and
document the available resources,
identifying where Public Lands is involved
(or not) and how the Department can
optimize their resources.
+Identify whether an employee-safety
evaluation is needed. Ensure that internal
resources are available for maintenance
staff and park rangers to document
safety concerns and that mental health
resources are available to staff.
culture care
The Action Plan • 93
Goal #4Improve trail amenities
Great riverfronts and their often associated
greenway trails include a wide range of
things to do, places to rest, spaces to learn,
and access to both natural and design
experiences. While there are numerous
wonderful experiences today along the Jordan
River corridor, there is also a tremendous
opportunity to expand offerings. This goal
aims to make the trail experience more
delightful and comfortable for people of all
ages, backgrounds, and abilities who walk or
ride on the trail. This includes increasing both
the amount and quality of amenities, shade,
and experience.
I like the idea of
providing more
waste bins and
benches for greater
access.
More trail
amenities - trash,
benches.
Yes to trash bins
+ benches!!!
94 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
The Lake Wallace Sensory Trail
Designers created a sensory trail around Lake Wallace to make
recreation accessible for all abilities. The community-led process
resulted in features like wildlife observation points, interpretive
signage in braille, and benches sourced from local trees.
Belchertown, MA
Strategy 1:
Add more higher quality amenities throughout the Emerald Ribbon.
Actions:
+Choose new standard design for benches,
trash cans, and water fountains that
reflects the public’s interest in the corridor
as a nature-centric experience.
+Increase frequency of trash receptacles
along the corridor to every 200-300 feet
along the trail.
+Increase frequency of water fountains
and water refill-stations so that at least
one is available at every park (per new
Park / Natural Lands designation) that is
functional from May through September.
Strategy 2:
Increase shaded rest-spaces for trail users.
Actions:
+Identify high-visibility locations where trail
users are likely to feel safe resting
+Increase regular frequency of rest areas
and create a new standard so that all
rest areas include a bench, trash can, and
map
Strategy 3:
Create a lighting standard for
the corridor and fill any gaps in
safe, nature-friendly lighting.
Actions:
+Fill gaps in lighting to ensure safety
throughout the corridor
+Develop a new nature-friendly lighting
standard and transition existing lighting
to that standard over time
nature culture connectivity care
The Action Plan • 95
Goal #5Create flexible event and gathering spaces
The 2019 Salt Lake City Parks & Public Lands
Needs Assessment identified that only a
few parks city-wide are equipped with
essential event infrastructure like water
and electricity, none of which are on the
Westside. High demand for those spaces
puts pressure on parks like Pioneer Park and
Liberty Park that do have well-equipped
event spaces and reinforces the idea that
Westside residents need to travel East for
high quality experiences. Event plazas are
only as effective as their programming, and
existing partnership and events staff may
need additional capacity to support new
spaces. For an investment in new flexible event
spaces to be successful, local organizations
must be consistently engaged to host events
in those spaces and feedback loops must exist
to ensure that the rental and programming
process works well for everyone involved.
It would be incredible to see the Jordan River incorporated into the daily lives of more Salt Lakers and to see people celebrating and enjoying each other in one of our most (at least with the potential to be) spectacular city amenities.
Dedicated spaces
for gathering or
festival space.
I love the creating places for gathering.
96 • Salt Lake City Action Plan
Beach Campus Detroit
Beach Campus transformed an underutilized space into a flexible,
beach-like urban amenity. With movable seating, shade structures,
and a large lawn, it encourages socialization and diverse outdoor
activities with a focus flexibility and user comfort for a range of users.
Detroit, MI
Strategy 1:
Dedicate some parks on the Emerald Ribbon as Special Event Parks and develop community-scale event infrastructure in those parks.
Actions:
+Develop new public programming space
at Rose Park adjacent to the existing
Golf Course Clubhouse designed for
performances and events that includes
necessary light, sound, water, and
electricity infrastructure.
+Study where there is demand and the
necessary transportation accessibility (ie.
parking, maintenance, and food truck
accessibility) for a new community event
plaza at an existing Emerald Ribbon park.
If sufficient need is identified, convert one
existing park into a Special Events Park
designation and build a new event plaza.
Potential areas for consideration include
Peace Labyrinth Open Space, Jordan
Park, and Cottonwood Park.
Strategy 2:
Increase partnership management capacity at Public Lands with a focus on department-led programming.
Actions:
+Partner with a Westside community-
based organization(s) to organize year-
round programming at any new special
events facilities. Consider a contract
agreement with a local organization to
run programming for a dedicated space.
culture care
The Action Plan • 97
Chapter Contents
Planning for Long-Term Success 100
Prioritizing the Action Plan’s Goals 108
Transformational Projects 114
Phase One and Bond Funding Priorities 158
Bringing the
Vision to Life
How to Realize the Vision
100 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
2025 In year one, set the groundwork for future work, initiate deeper dive strategies, and begin planning to implement transformational projects, including restoration efforts.
Strategies: Subject of a Deeper Dive
Pilot Programs
Start Phase One Bond Priorities
Pg. 109
Pg 116
Pg. 158
2026–2027
In years 2-3, begin implementation of bond
funding phase one priorities, continue gradual
transformation to natural lands, and establish
the ground work to increase programming and
care in highly activated spaces.
Develop Framework for Care
Implement Phase One Bond Priorities
Strategies: Short-Term Opportunities
Pg. 102
Pg 158
Pg. 110
2028—2035
In years 4-10, complete bond priorities and
move on to the remaining transformational
projects. Pursue necessary but hard long-term
strategies and evolve the new framework for
care in a restored and activated corridor.
Goals & Strategies: Long-Term Change
Complete Transformational Projects
Pg 109
Pg. 112
Strategies: Ongoing Evolution Pg. 112
Bringing the Vision to Life • 101
Planning for Long-term Success
Salt Lake City and Public Lands have made
significant capital investments in recent years
along the corridor. Contemporary park design
best practices encourage planners, designers,
and city leaders to place equal emphasis on
the ongoing financial picture to support the
long-term success of corridor investments.
The community feels the difference: feedback
gathered through this planning process often
centered on notions of care and perceptions of
lack of care on the Emerald Ribbon today.
To ensure the Emerald Ribbon has the best
chances for a long and successful trajectory,
the current approach to programming,
managing, and acquiring funding to support
long-term park care must be expanded.
Caring for the
Corridor
To the right, an aspirational care model
outlines what levels of operational investment
are needed to become consistent with
community aspirations. Depending on the
level of programming, a revived and restored
Emerald Ribbon might require an annual
operating budget of between $7M to $10M
annually. While this represents a significant
increase in current annual spending, funding
does not need to come from public dollars
alone; cities managing comparable river
corridors rely on a combination of public
funding, contributed dollars, captured value,
and earned revenue, to cover the costs of long-
term care and activation.
++
Caring for the Corridor Investing in the Corridor Governing the Corridor
Capital Costs GovernanceOperating Costs
Components of a Culture of Long-term Care
102 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
NATURAL LANDS
are managed as restored
natural areas. Costs include
monitoring and management
tailored to native ecosystems.
$8K-$12K
per acre per year
Increase from 130 acres today
to over 270 acres in the future
PASSIVE SPACES
are well-cared for areas
along the corridor with
limited activities, like
narrower stretches of the trail.
$20K-$30K
per acre per year
assuming 55-60 acres of
passive space along the
corridor
ACTIVATED SPACE
are heavily used spaces that
are intensively managed and
programmed to create a great
user experience.
$50K-$75K
per acre per year
assuming 60-70 acres of
activated park space along
the corridor
Future Aspiration For Care $7M - $10M Annual Operating Budget
(mix of funding sources)
PASSIVE SPACE
ACTIVATED SPACE
$3.5M - $5M PER YEAR $2.5M - $3.5M PER YEAR
$1M - $2M PER YEAR
NATURAL LANDS
Today ~$1M per year
(public dollars)
Bringing the Vision to Life • 103
In terms of capital costs, comparable parks
around the country cost between $2M to $3.5M
per acre – many of which leverage public,
contributed, and earned income mechanisms.
The immediate opportunity of $9M of bond
funding is a strong start, and many creative
funding sources exist to support further
investment. Additional funding sources are
currently underutilized or unavailable to Public
Lands but could be explored on a path to
implementation.
This Action Plan includes both corridor-wide
strategies and transformational projects
to provide a multi-pronged approach to
implementation. Both of these types of change
need to be grounded in realistic budgets in
order to be realized. To establish reasonable
costs, a number of benchmarks were evaluated
and inventoried. These helped to create broad
conceptual costs per element below. These
costs include an additional 50% to cover soft
costs, contingencies, and escalation.
These conceptual costs are a handy tool in
planning for change. In the following pages,
these costs will be applied to the concept
designs to help facilitate a realistic approach
to near and long-term funding. They can also
be used for prioritizing other actions.
Investing in the
Corridor
104 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Park Space $2,500,000 per Acre
Ecological Restoration $150,000 per Acre
Trails and Greenways $3,500,000 per Mile
A number of similar, recently completed community parks with
amenities and a level of finish similar to the concept design helped
establish a conceptual cost of $2,500,000 per acre. These included
Glendale Park in Salt Lake City, River’s Edge Park in Council Bluffs,
Iowa, and New Park at 47th & Telluride in Denver, Colorado.
Ecologically-oriented projects - including bank stabilization, wetland
restoration, and habitat enhancements - can be accomplished for
a conceptual cost of $150,000 per acre. Benchmarks here included
Tacoma’s Clear Creek, Marsh Creation in New Orleans, and riparian
restoration in Hamilton City, California.
While trail and greenway costs can range dramatically, there are a
number of comparable, urban greenway corridors like the Carolina
Thread Trail in Charlotte, North Carolina, Path400 in Atlanta, Georgia,
and the Marquette Greenway in Illinois. These point to a conceptual cost
of $3,500,000 per mile for greenway and trail construction. This includes
the development of trail-side amenities, signage, and wayfinding.
Glendale Park, Salt Lake City
Clear Creek Restoration, Tacoma, Washington
Carolina Thread Trail, Charlotte, North Carolina
Bringing the Vision to Life • 105
It is rare today to see successful urban river
corridors improved, managed, and operated
purely by public entities. Many different forms
of public-private partnerships, conservancy
models, and “Friends of” groups can help to
bridge the gap in capacities, raise funding,
and help to enliven the corridor with activation.
The examples to the right showcase a few
comparable corridors that can serve as
models for the Emerald Ribbon. Each of
these examples has a dedicated external
organization (in some cases, more than one)
to support the programming, fundraising,
management and operations, or community
outreach.
Governing the
Corridor
106 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
High Line Canal, Denver, CO
Ownership and Management: Denver Water
Capital Development, Fundraising, and
Programming: High Line Canal Conservancy
In 2023, through the leadership of the High
Line Canal (HLC) Conservancy, the Great
Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) awarded a $7
million dollar grant for improvements to 28
miles of the High Line Canal Trail in Denver. The
HLC also facilitated the clean up of over 15,500
pounds of litter in 2023.
Buffalo Bayou, Houston, TX
Ownership: City of Houston and Harris County
Flood Control District
Capital Development, Maintenance, Fundraising,
and Programming: Buffalo Bayou Partnership
(BBP)
In 2022, the BBP received a $100 million gift
from Kinder Foundation, which is leveraging
another $210 million of public and private
investments to construct new bayou parks,
trails, housing, cultural destinations, and
infrastructure improvements into low income
neighborhoods along the Bayou’s east side.
Joe Louis Greenway, Detroit, MI
Management, Maintenance, and Outreach: City
of Detroit
Capital Development and Fundraising: Joe Louis
Greenway Partnership (JLGP)
Beyond their role in funding and constructing
the Greenway, JLGP is currently providing
funding and technical assistance to support
businesses that have been displaced by the
Greenway and acquired land adjacent to
the Greenway to expand food/beverage
businesses and affordable housing.
Bringing the Vision to Life • 107
Prioritizing the Action Plan’s Goals
The goals, strategies, and actions in this plan
provide guidance for transformation of the
corridor to align with the community’s vision.
Here, the Action Plan outlines, based on
technical considerations, the different potential
implementation pathways and timelines.
The Action Plan identifies a multi-pronged
approach to implementation.
< $250K Can be done independently or by a small team with limited process and permitting barriers.
Would benefit the smallest number of people or user groups
This would benefit multiple user groups.
This impact would be felt by the majority of the corridor’s users.
May require multiple agencies or face process and permitting barriers, but not both.
Requires multiple agencies or jurisdictions, enabling work or permitting.
1-3 years
3-5 years
5-10+ years
$250K - $2M
> $2M
Potential Project Duration Community ImpactCostOrganizational Complexity
Subject of a Deeper Dive
While many of the strategies in the Action Plan are framed as tangible
projects, the list below outlines initiatives that will require more time and
planning to better define and realize. A deeper dive into these topics is the
necessary next step to clarify the work ahead.
Co
s
t
Co
m
p
l
e
x
i
t
y
Pr
o
j
e
c
t
Du
r
a
t
i
o
n
Co
m
m
u
n
i
t
y
Im
p
a
c
t
1.1.1 Create a comprehensive interpretation and signage plan for
the corridor
2.4.1 Develop a comprehensive wayfinding strategy under the
jurisdiction of the Department of Public Lands
3.2.2 Create guidelines and incentives for landowners in the study area to care for native landscapes
5.3.3 Improve methods to field complaints and concerns on the
corridor
Bringing the Vision to Life • 109
Short-Term Wins for Immediate Impact
The strategies listed below are achievable in the short-term, having limited complexity and cost. Framed as “quick wins”, these items can begin in the next year for visible community impact.
Co
s
t
Co
m
p
l
e
x
i
t
y
Ph
a
s
e
Le
n
g
t
h
Co
m
m
u
n
i
t
y
Im
p
a
c
t
1.1.2 Promote citizen science with a focus on youth programming
2.1.1 Provide safe crossings
2.2.3 Increase local neighborhood cut-throughs to the corridor
2.4.2 Redesign and clearly mark missing segments in the Jordan
River Trail
3.1.2 Clearly communicate difference between natural lands and
park lands and their differing management standards
4.3.2 Increase staffing along the corridor to facilitate transition in
management
4.3.1 Expand the existing riparian protection ordinance to include consideration of the Jordan River trail
5.1.1 Diversify the activation and programming of the river
5.2.2 Develop a framework to identify sites and opportunities for
activation
5.3.1 Balance a services-first approach with increased police patrols
5.4.2 Increase shaded rest-spaces for trail users
5.5.1 Dedicate some parks on the Emerald Ribbon as Special Event
Parks and develop community-scale event infrastructure in
those parks
2.3.1 Conduct inventory of existing trail system condition
110 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Long-Term Changes
These strategies involve broad systemic change that will take the most time, collaboration, money, and effort to be realized. They are framed here as items that can be started now. They will most likely require collaboration and be realized over the long term.
Co
s
t
Co
m
p
l
e
x
i
t
y
Ph
a
s
e
Le
n
g
t
h
Co
m
m
u
n
i
t
y
Im
p
a
c
t
1.2.1 Implement riparian, upland, and wetland restoration
1.3.2 Develop community-led beautification programs
2.3.3 Develop new bridge standards and develop a plan for gradual
replacement of the most narrow bridges
4.1.1 Move the levee away from the river
4.4.1 Require the development within the corridor meet high
standards of environmental superiority
5.3.2 Shift amenities into higher visibility areas and activate street
edges
5.5.2 Increase partnership management capacity at Public Lands
with a focus on department-led programming
3.3.2 Assess overlapping jurisdictions in the corridor related to care and maintenance. Organize a cross-departmental group to evaluate and streamline ownership between departments
3.4.3 Support Public Utilities in evaluating waste systems in the corridor and along tributaries affecting the Jordan River
4.4.2 Develop eco-landscape requirements for new development
projects
4.4.3 Enforce and expand development limitations in riparian buffer
zone in high sensitivity areas
4.1.3 Increase water flow into the corridor
4.2.1 Increase Natural Lands to 30% of the corridor by 2030
Bringing the Vision to Life • 111
Key Opportunities for Ongoing Evolution
More complex than a single capital improvement yet easier than systemic, large-scale transformation, the following strategies are important and requiring ongoing investments that involve some complexity and time to be realized.
Co
s
t
Co
m
p
l
e
x
i
t
y
Ph
a
s
e
Le
n
g
t
h
Co
m
m
u
n
i
t
y
Im
p
a
c
t
3.1.4 Create visitor-centric native restoration areas in the corridor with a focus on visually appealing species
1.2.2 Monitor progress against restoration goals
1.3.1
Leverage local artists in advancing other goals in the Action Plan, including safer intersections, the design and programming of flexible event spaces, and nature interpretation experiences
2.1.2 Provide a clear, recognizable, and continuous trail experience.
2.2.1 Complete the trail on both sides of the river (whether paved or dirt)
2.3.2 Replace existing trail over the next ten years to meet new
standards
3.1.1 Streamline management areas and support an increase in
natural lands
3.2.1 Create opportunities for ongoing stewardship within the corridor in partnership with local organizations.
3.2.3 Support the development of a private governance body to
coordinate stakeholders and advocate for the success of the
Emerald Ribbon
4.1.2
Use grading changes to expand floodplain volume, thereby reducing flood threats, creating more room for flow, and expanding the opportunities for riparian and wetland habitat restoration.
4.1.4 Restore natural channel geometry to the river
3.4.1 Support Public Utilities use of SLC right of way draining to the Emerald Ribbon for green infrastructure
112 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Key Opportunities for Ongoing Evolution
4.3.2 Enhance regional and local collaboration with riverfront
landowners and trail stewards
2.5.1 Provide increased access points to the river
5.1.2 Make lively destinations at the river’s edge that improve
symbolic, physical, and visual access to the river.
5.2.1 Understand and remove barriers to small business and commercial activation of the river
5.4.1 Add more higher quality amenities throughout the Emerald
Ribbon
1.3.3 Create sustainable funding pipelines for ongoing art programming
1.4.1 Partner with local organizations and small businesses to
increase programming and build community representation
and ownership of the Jordan River
1.4.2 Create gateways onto the trail on the border into a new neighborhood (ie. Glendale, Poplar Grove, Fairpark, Rose Park) to let people know when they’re entering those neighborhoods
2.4.3 Improve connections to trails that meet the Jordan River Trail
2.5.2 Add signage on the water trail at each overpass or bridge
3.1.3 Integrate environmental education efforts into existing Public
Lands processes
3.4.3 Highlight and enforce waste reduction programs for pets
in the corridor and along tributaries
5.4.3 Create a lighting standard for the corridor and fill any gaps in
safe, nature-friendly lighting
2.2.2 Conduct a study of possible street closures to enhance
connectivity to parks and the trail
Bringing the Vision to Life • 113
These five locations were identified and further explored in
conceptual plans in the following chapter. These locations
were selected because they explore a variety of contexts and
experiences along the corridor, from a largely undeveloped
and relatively wild area to neighborhood parks, an urban
stretch with limited public land but high connectivity to the
rest of the city, and lands adjacent to golf courses. The sites
were also selected to ensure geographic distribution of future
investment along the Emerald Ribbon.
Transformational Projects
The Value of Popping Up
Expanding Program Opportunities
A Cycle of Learning
While the Action Plan lays out a clear series of
next steps, there is much that cannot be known
about the future. In any planning process,
questions remain, community needs evolve,
and priorities shift over time.
The Action Plan embraces the potential
to adaptively manage implementation by
recommending the use of pop-up programs,
projects, and policies. “Pop-ups” are short-
term and/or temporary examples of potential
implementation strategies. They enable the
community to imagine change and learn
about proposed techniques and processes.
Feedback and lessons learned from the
development of pop-ups can be leveraged
in order to adapt and improve long-term
implementation.
Here are three ideas for pop-up projects that
could start immediately! Artful Testing
The Westside of Salt Lake City is home
to numerous organizations, groups, and
businesses who could take a more active role
in activating the Emerald Ribbon. A pop-up
project that engages these potential partners
in a temporary activation could help inspire
more engagement with the corridor, test new
programs, and grow the roster of potential
community-driven events.
Success Story: Now + There, an arts organization
with the goal of using temporary public art to
create change, transformed an empty lot in the
Charlestown Navy Yard into a testing ground for
public art.
Lot Lab, Boston
116 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Transforming Traffic TacticallyPreviewing Ecological Change
Environmental Education
The community shared its desire for a nature-
forward vision for the Emerald Ribbon.
Achieving this will require new design, planting,
and maintenance strategies and processes.
Pop-ups could be used to mock-up and test
some of these new approaches. In the example
above, community members were invited to
measure the temperature of different paving
types to understand how material selection
impacts microclimate.
Success Story: As part of a vision plan for Congress Avenue, a series of pop-ups allowed community members to test new ideas.
1700 S Trail Intersection
The intersection of the Jordan River Trail and
1700 S is a great opportunity for a pop-up
approach. Here the trail is less continuous
and legible to users. Pop-up tactics could
test safety measures such as changes to the
activated crosswalk signals and paint to make
the crossing more visible to drivers. These
could be in place for a period of time with users
providing real-time feedback that could inform
a long-term series of improvements.
Success Story: The City of Seattle used painting
and tactical approaches to testing new traffic
and pedestrian patterns.
Existing Condition
Street Pilot, SeattleCongress Avenue, Austin
Bringing the Vision to Life • 117
Develop a New Wildlife Area at Glendale Oxbow
The southern gateway of the Jordan River
corridor as it enters Salt Lake City proper,
the Glendale Oxbow is both a confluence
of city-wide systems like the Surplus Canal
and the Jordan River Trail and a unique
moment of natural beauty thanks to
the sculptural form of the river. With the
construction of a new regional park in the
Glendale neighborhood, this stretch of the
corridor is soon to be home to a great new
urban park replete with amenities, play,
and water access.
1
Develop a New Wildlife Area at Glendale Oxbow
Existing Conditions
The 2100 S Oxbow is located just east of
Glendale Golf Course. The opposite bank is
dominated by commercial and industrial
uses that contribute to a steep, eroding river
bank. The area is less frequented by trail
users, with scattered unhoused encampments
occasionally found within the peninsula.
Golfers at Glendale Park can see the area, but
it remains peripheral to their experience. On
the eastern bank of the river, commercial and
industrial land uses encroach on public lands
and infringe on the required buffers for the
Jordan River.
The area is generally mowed but holds
significant potential for riparian, wetland,
and upland restoration. Notably, there are
numerous interesting features in the area,
such as a spring on the north side of the trail
bridge between the river and the trail, areas
of the oxbow that present opportunities for
wetland creation, a low-lying area at the bend
in the river adjacent to the golf fairway that
could become a wetland, a low-lying bench
on much of the western bank of the river, and
moderately sloping banks on the Westside
that are conducive to riparian woodland
restoration.
poor connectivity and
wayfinding
120 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
lots of ecological
potential!
Bringing the Vision to Life • 121
The Proposal
This underused site is a great place to give
space back to nature along the river. New
wetland areas and expanded floodplain will
provide better habitat for birds and other
animals. People will be able to enjoy the
natural environment through seating areas,
interpretive signage, and wildlife viewpoints.
The proposal also includes improvements to
enhance the area as a gateway for people.
A new trailhead with parking is proposed on
2100 S. To the west of the river, a new trail will
be added along with natural landscaping and
new trees.
Develop a New Wildlife Area at Glendale Oxbow
122 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Bringing the Vision to Life • 123
Develop a New Wildlife Area at Glendale Oxbow
Estimated Full Build-Out Cost $6,081,603
Park $1,687,535
Restoration $2,372,222
Trails & Greenway $2,020,846
The following estimates assume 0.71 acres of park redesign, including the trailhead on 2100 S,
overlooks, picnic tables, and amenities along the boardwalk. Restoration estimates assume 17.07 acres
of restoration. Trails and greenway estimates cover 0.63 miles of improvements, including a 100-foot
buffer for amenities like lighting, benches, trash cans, and fountains. These are order-of-magnitude
cost estimates based on peer comparison data, with soft costs included in all three estimates.
124 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Phase One Projects
Community Park Space Park $689,275
Park investments in the Glendale Oxbow in Phase One are minimal but include two boardwalks, which should be developed in conjunction with restoration projects. Lowering the grade of the existing plane to encourage wetlands will create a new nature area; thoughtful creation of nature experiences for people should happen side by side with those projects, including interpretive experiences.
Ecological Restoration Restoration $1,417,496
This area is a strong potential pilot area for restoration efforts, some of which can be conducted
internally at Public Lands. The Phase One priority is to lower the grade of the existing ground plane
to be conducive to wetlands at the oxbow and along the bank to the north. This should be done
alongside the removal of invasives and installation of native riparian tree mottes.
Greenway & Trail Improvements Trails & Greenway $192,462
Phase One prioritizes the creation of a new trailhead at the intersection of the Jordan River Trail and
2100 S. As the southern edge of the corridor, the trailhead will serve as the entrance into the Emerald
Ribbon from South Salt Lake and West Valley City. The largely industrial area today provides few
amenities to trail users; a new trailhead that include waste receptacles, water refill stations, shade,
and parking for trail users will make the area more accessible to the community.
Bringing the Vision to Life • 125
Reimagine Modesto Park and Bend in the River
Modesto Park and Bend in the River are
poised for a transformational design that
will unlock their full potential as vibrant
community spaces. Today, public concern
over safety, outdated amenities, and
poor maintenance makes these parks
fall short of their promise. The new vision
introduces a dynamic ‘community porch’
with shaded seating, a nature playground,
and an outdoor classroom, alongside
enhanced pathways and a formal
trailhead with improved access. Ecological
upgrades will revitalize riverbanks, expand
wetlands, and enhance wildlife habitats.
The redesign will create a welcoming,
connected, and ecologically thriving hub
for the entire community.
2
126 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Bringing the Vision to Life • 127
Reimagine Modesto Park and Bend in the River
Existing Conditions
Today, Modesto Park and Bend in the River
offer expansive green space to the adjacent
neighbors. Yet, the composition of elements,
ecological improvements, and park edges fall
short of the potential for a great neighborhood
park. Concerns about safety, coupled with
outdated amenities, prevent this from being a
true community hub.
The park edge along Modesto Avenue feels
uninviting and inaccessible due to a lack of
meaningful amenities, poor maintenance
of vegetation, and limited views of the river.
Safety issues with the existing playground
in the south and the under-programmed
outdoor classroom in the north deter people
from engaging with the water and the park’s
features.
The parking area along Fremont Ave, which
serves as an entrance to the park, has been a
cherished community space, offering a strong
foundation for enhanced community gathering
place with better connectivity to Bend in the
River Park.
128 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
well-loved area near Bend in the River
under-programmed spaces feel unsafe
concerns about the condition of existing facilities
Bringing the Vision to Life • 129
The Proposal
This concept addresses safety concerns and
introduces a new ‘community porch’ with
shaded seating, a lawn, cooking areas, a
nature playground, and art installations.
Enhanced pathways and new access from
900 W will improve the parks’ relationship to
the surrounding neighborhood. A small lot
on Fremont Ave will become an enhanced
trailhead with increased visibility into the park
and a new boat ramp.
Ecological improvements include regrading
riverbanks to reduce erosion, expanding
wetlands for wildlife and stormwater
management, removing invasive plants,
and protecting significant trees to enhance
the park’s ecological function and visitor
experience.
Reimagine Modesto Park and Bend in the River
130 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Bringing the Vision to Life • 131
The following estimates assume 2.37 acres of park redesign, including creating the ‘community porch,’
renovating the trailhead on Fremont Ave, and adding amenities along the trail. Restoration estimates
assume 7.44 acres of restoration. Trails and greenway estimates cover 0.33 miles of improvements,
including a 100-foot buffer for amenities like lighting, benches, trash cans, and fountains. These are
order-of-magnitude cost estimates based on peer comparison data, with soft costs included in all
three estimates.
Reimagine Modesto & Bend in the River Park
Estimated Full Build-Out Cost $7,725,517
Park $5,633,040
Restoration $1,033,939
Trails & Greenway $1,058,538
132 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Phase One Projects
Community Park Space Park $3,636,519
The ‘community porch’ along Modesto Avenue is the recommended first phase of investment in public park space. The ability to deliver walkable amenities to the nearby neighbors and improve sight lines and access to the river make this a priority.
Ecological Restoration Restoration $391,896
Adjacent to the “Porch”, a first phase capital project could include expansion and enhancement of the
existing wetland as well as regrading and restoration of the river’s edge. This action builds on recent
good work while growing the ecological value.
Greenway & Trail Improvements Trails & Greenway $0
Greenway and trail improvements will be a focus of effort and investment in the long term, but are
not included in Phase One projects. Priorities could include the creation of a new trail connection to S
900 W at Gold Place and the replacement of the existing boat ramp, which should be relocated to the
north side of the park for easy access from Fremont Ave.
Bringing the Vision to Life • 133
Center Nature and Activate Public Space in Fairpark
The Power District and Fairpark,
together, constitute a significant
portion of the Jordan River corridor, and
both experiencing considerable new
development. This offers an opportunity
to center the community’s priorities in the
creation of a more urban stretch of the
river with active uses and more vibrant
public spaces. At the same time, care
should be taken to ensure the river itself
feels public and that the ecological health
of the river is prioritized.
3
Center Nature and Activate Public Space in Fairpark
Existing Conditions
Today, the segment of the Jordan River
between Fisher Mansion and Cottonwood
Park runs through a highly industrial area.
The area is crisscrossed by major railroads
and by the TRAX Green Line at North Temple,
which connects downtown to the Fairpark
and Jordan River Trail. The existing Gadsby
Trailhead at North Temple Street (which
includes a parking lot and boat ramp) has
been defined by undesirable activity in recent
months, restricting its use as a gateway to
the Jordan River corridor. The Fisher Mansion
and adjacent Carriage House, recently
remodeled for use as a Public Lands office
and headquarters for the Park Rangers, has
enormous potential but is fenced off from the
river and offers no trailside amenities today.
The trail becomes especially confusing at the
North Temple Street intersection near the
TRAX station, where one of the few deadly
pedestrian-involved accidents on the corridor
occurred.
136 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
potential for waterfront activities
no view of the river
Bringing the Vision to Life • 137
The Proposal
In this changing district, the plan focuses on
providing safe and comfortable connections
for trail users, businesses, and future residents.
This concept illustrates improvements and
activation at the Fisher Mansion and the
Gadsby Trailhead. These areas have the
potential to become hubs for community
events, water recreation, and nature education
for the river. The City will work with the
Power District developers and the Fairpark
community to improve the Jordan River
experience as this area grows. Policy changes
(recommended in Guiding Principle 4, Goals
4 and 5) are paramount to ensure that new
development meets the needs and priorities
of Westside residents, including environmental
superiority.
Center Nature and Activate Public Space in Fairpark
138 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Bringing the Vision to Life • 139
Center Nature and Activate Public
Space in Fairpark
Estimated Full Build-Out Cost $7,101,387
Park $3,517,679
Restoration $151,478
Trails & Greenway $3,432,231
The following estimates assume 1.48 acres of park redesign. Restoration estimates assume 1.09 acres
of restoration. Trails and greenway estimates cover 1.07 miles of improvements, including a 100-foot
buffer for amenities like lighting, benches, trash cans, and fountains. These are order-of-magnitude
cost estimates based on peer comparison data, with soft costs included in all three estimates.
140 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Phase One Projects
Community Park Space Park $1,449,854
Capital park improvements in a first phase focus on the city-owned Fisher Mansion and its adjacency
to the trail and existing boat ramp, transforming it into a public amenity. A redesign should better
open the mansion onto the trail, improve water access and visibility, and incorporate space for
vendors, including a kayak rental.
Ecological Restoration Restoration $0
While no capital improvement dollars are suggested for restoration projects in Phase One, Public
Lands should begin a process with the Planning Division to evaluate what an environmental
superiority policy could look like for development between 200 S and North Temple St to protect and
enhance the health of the river with new construction.
Greenway & Trail Improvements Trails & Greenway $1,700,077
The first of two priority projects is the completion of the trail connection to the new Folsom Trail, opening up the JRT and Fisher Mansion to other trail users. The other critical priority is to complete the missing segment of trail north of N Temple St, which suffers from safety, visibility, and quality issues today. This will protect and enhance the trail as new development transforms the area.
Bringing the Vision to Life • 141
Bring New Life to Cottonwood Park
Cottonwood Park is set for a remarkable
transformation that will redefine its
role as a community hub. Currently, the
park’s distinctiveness is overshadowed
by navigation challenges and limited
engagement, making the community park
fall short of its potential. The new proposal
aims to enhance connectivity with
realigned trails, fresh nature walkways,
and a vibrant ‘community porch’ on the
southern edge. Upgrades to the trailhead
and the potential future relocation of
the levee will improve access, visibility,
and the park’s relationship with the river.
This redesign promises to create a more
cohesive, inviting space for all.
4
142 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Bringing the Vision to Life • 143
Bring New Life to an Expanded Cottonwood Park
Existing Conditions
Cottonwood Park is a distinctive open space
stretching across the river. On one side, a
popular dog park serves as a cherished
neighborhood spot but has the potential for
enhanced water visibility and connectivity to
the rest of the park. The current trail design
has no wayfinding to the other side of the
river, making it difficult for visitors to navigate
the entire park. On the other side of the river,
the community park offers essential green
space and some amenities but falls short in
engaging community members effectively.
The trail design and lack of activities facing the
street discourage deeper exploration of the
park. Additionally, the levee creates a natural
barrier to the river, leading to safety concerns
and increased likelihood of encampments.
Improving connectivity, visibility, and
engagement in both areas could significantly
enhance the park’s usability and safety,
creating a more cohesive and welcoming
space for the community.
no activities face the street
144 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
no activities face the street
river hidden and inaccessible
Bringing the Vision to Life • 145
The Proposal
This concept enhances connections within
the park and between the park and the river.
Realigned trails and new signage will simplify
navigation, while nature walkways will offer
fresh experiences for walking and biking.
Recreation amenities will be concentrated
at the south end, creating a welcoming
‘community porch’. The existing dirt parking
lot on Redwood Road will be upgraded to a
trailhead with artwork, signage, new restrooms,
and a boat ramp. In the longer term, relocating
the levee further from the river will improve
visual and physical connection to the water,
providing more space for the river to flood.
Bring New Life to an Expanded Cottonwood Park
146 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Bringing the Vision to Life • 147
Bring New Life to an Expanded Cottonwood Park
Estimated Full Build-Out Cost $24,456,156
Park $19,870,131
Restoration $1,057,564
Trails & Greenway $3,528,462
The following estimates assume 8.36 acres of park redesign, including the creation of the ‘community
porch,’ recreational sports fields, and the trailhead. Restoration estimates assume 7.61 acres of
restoration. Trails and greenway estimates cover 1.1 miles of improvements, including a 100-foot buffer
for amenities like lighting, benches, trash cans, and fountains. These are order-of-magnitude cost
estimates based on peer comparison data, with soft costs included in all three estimates.
148 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Phase One Projects
Community Park Space Park $5,347,822
Park investments during Phase One will focus on the creation of a community porch along the southern edge. This addition will create a welcoming and inviting area, enhancing connectivity with the neighboring community and maximizing the project’s impact.
Ecological Restoration Restoration $836,601
With so much acreage, there is immense potential to restore and enhance natural lands at Cottonwood
Park. Phase One projects include the removal of invasive plants, restoration of native species in the
riparian area, and the establishment of an upland plant community on the northern edge of the river. In
Phase One, the installation of stormwater wetlands at the toe of the slope is recommended to develop
this area as a natural land pilot program ripe for nature experiences for people.
Greenway & Trail Improvements Trails & Greenway $962,308
Trail and greenway improvements in Phase One are closely tied to restoration efforts, as the regrading
of the bank along the northeast section of the park will require moving the primary trail back from the
river. Doing so creates an opportunity to upgrade this segment of trail to be a wide, marked, multi-use
trail. Likewise, development of unpaved nature trails to create a loop along the north and south edges
should happen after restoration efforts.
Bringing the Vision to Life • 149
Develop a
New Nature
Park near
Rose Park
Golf Course
The Rose Park Golf Course today is a well-used space separated from the river by a large, continuous levee. While this levee reduces flood risk for many nearby neighbors, it physically and visually separates them from the river. While the golf course is well-loved, the adjacent Rose Park Golf Course Driving Range is underutilized and in a prime location for a nature area. Similar to Cottonwood Park, the potential exists to create more “room for the river” by relocating portions of the levee and developing wetlands. In doing so, this concept creates more expansive hydrologic function and new habitat for wildlife.
5
150 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Bringing the Vision to Life • 151
Develop a New Nature Park near Rose Park Golf Course
Existing Conditions
The Rose Park area includes Rose Park Golf
Course, Roots Disc Golf Course, and the
greenbelt between them adjacent to the
Jordan River. Boundaries include the river and
Reclamation Road to the north, 1200 W and
residential housing to the east, 1000 N to the
south, and Redwood Rd to the west. Both golf
courses and the formal east-side trail and
informal west-bank gravel trail are actively
used.
A levee along the western bank, currently non-
compliant with regulations, will need upgrades
to meet higher flood levels and stricter
standards. The golf course features mowed
areas with specimen trees in the roughs. For
much of its length, the course is separated
from the river by fencing, the levee, and dense
vegetation. Some planting has occurred in the
disc golf area.
Significant potential exists for expanding the
floodplain and restoring riparian woodlands,
wetlands, and uplands to enhance the site’s
ecological health and improve the experience
for course and trail users.
popular
amenities
152 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
old growth trees and beautiful trail segments
Bringing the Vision to Life • 153
The Proposal
This concept reflects ongoing discussion to
transition the underutilized driving range at
Rose Park Golf Course into a publicly accessible
park and nature area. A pathway through
Roots and the driving range would become a
slower, scenic walking route. A new gathering
space and a nature playground incorporates
amenities to better serve the broader
community. A large nature preserve will include
scenic overlooks and educational signage. An
enhanced clubhouse can serve both golfers
and trail users, and steps down to the water
would provide new boat access.
Develop a New Nature Park near Rose Park Golf Course
154 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Bringing the Vision to Life • 155
Develop a New Nature Park near
Rose Park Golf Course
Estimated Full Build-Out Cost $19,818,417
Park $12,715,933
Restoration $4,440,099
Trails & Greenway $2,662,385
The following estimates assume 5.35 acres of park redesign. Restoration estimates assume 31.95 acres
of restoration. Trails and greenway estimates cover 0.83 miles of improvements, including a 100-foot
buffer for amenities like lighting, benches, trash cans, and fountains. These are order-of-magnitude
cost estimates based on peer comparison data, with soft costs included in all three estimates.
156 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Phase One Projects
Feasibility Study $300-500k
A feasibility study for relocating the levee between Redwood Road and 1000 North must assess
the new alignment’s geotechnical and environmental suitability. It should evaluate design and
construction needs to meet regulatory standards and ensure effective flood protection. The study
must also consider integrating the levee with proposed park uses (as described in this document),
estimate costs for dismantling the old levee and constructing the new one, and include considerations
for community impacts. Additionally, it should provide a timeline and risk management plan to
address relocation challenges.
No design or construction is proposed as part of Phase One for this project.
Bringing the Vision to Life • 157
Phase One & Bond Funding Priorities
The following chapter identifies how the GO Bond funding can support the near-term evolution of the Emerald Ribbon for Westside residents and the city as a whole. Projects were prioritized by area of highest need in the community, greatest opportunity in regards to natural restoration potential, and to lay the foundation for the ongoing implementation of the goals of this plan. The projects were also prioritized to ensure a balanced distribution of investment in regards to geography and project type (between highly activated parks, natural lands, and trail and safety). They are structured to ensure that they are feasible and will, coupled with effective ongoing management and thoughtful programming, make a tangible difference in the lives of residents within Phase One.
To facilitate further planning, a Phase One approach was identified for all five Transformational Projects. Not all of the project identified as phase one efforts are proposed as priorities for Bond Funding.
Building on the operating cost estimates included on Pg. 101, each category of proposed capital projects suggests a framework for the ongoing care of those investments.
An evolution of the governance model on the Emerald Ribbon is an important precursor to meeting the community’s demands in regards to improved maintenance and management practices. Investment in the long-term care of the corridor (and public communication about those investments) must go hand in hand with new capital improvements.
Available bond funding covers the majority of priorities identified on the following spreads, but about $5 million of additional funding is necessary to achieve the vision set forth on the following pages. Some of that is already confirmed via other funding sources.
Bringing the Vision to Life • 159
Glendale Oxbow
500S Riparian
Peace Labyrinth
Alzheimers Park
Riverside Park
Cornell Lift Station
Fairpark
9th South River Park
Cottonwood Park
Bend In The River / Modesto Park
Folsom Confluence
North Temple
1700 South
Transformational Projects$11.5M for Phase One Priorities
including $9M in Bond Funding
Total Funding: $9M Bond Funding: $6.5M Add’l Dedicated CIP Funding: $2.5M
Bend in the River & Modesto Parks
$3M (Bond) + $1M (Addl CIP) = $4M Total
A first phase here includes the ‘community
porch’ along Modesto Avenue and
enhancement of the existing wetland as well
as regrading and restoration of the river’s
edge. See page 126 for details.
Cottonwood Park
$3M (Bond) + $1.5M (Addl CIP) = $4.5M Total
A first phase here includes trail and greenway
improvements closely tied to restoration
efforts along both sides of the river to the
east. This also includes improvements to the
trailhead on Redwood Road. See page 142 for
details. This work can likely be completed now
without being removed by levee relocation in
the future.
Glendale Oxbow
A first phase here includes invasive removal,
native planting, regrading for new wetlands,
and restoration of the existing spring. See
page 118 for details.
Note: The Action Plan identifies the need for a feasibility
study as the first step of the work ahead at Rose Park
and therefore is not included in this round of capital
improvements.
Phase One Priorities
$500K (Bond)
Note: Soft costs such as design fees, permitting costs,
contingencies and escalation are included in these budget
numbers. For full methodology of cost modeling, see pages
102-103.
900 South
160 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
$500K (Bond)
Total Funding: $1M
Bond Funding: $1M Total Funding: $1.5M Bond Funding: $1.5M
Corridor-Wide Restoration Projects Corridor-Wide Safety Focused Projects
Peace Labyrinth
Riparian planting, invasives removal,
regrading for wetlands, and slope
stabilization. 9th South River Park
Riparian planting and regrading for wetlands.
500 South Riparian
Bank stabilization, invasives removal, and
riparian restoration.
Alzheimers Park
Establish and enhance riparian community.
Tie into existing irrigation.
Riverside Park
Conversion of mowed area to riparian area
and connection to existing irrigation.
Cornell Lift Station
Invasive removal, enhanced habitat, and
expansion of the existing wetland.
Fairpark
Establish/enhance riparian community along
trail. Install irrigation.
Folsom Trail
Establish/enhance riparian community along
trail. Install irrigation.
Wayfinding Redesign
Create and implement a corridor-wide
wayfinding system to address safety concerns
and improve navigation.
North Temple Street Intersection and Trail
Develop community-driven plan for the North
Temple Street intersection public realm to
occur in conjunction with new development,
enacting the recommendations of the plan
regarding trail design and intersection
visibility. Clarify Public Lands land ownership
on the quarter mile trail segments north and
south of North Temple Street to determine
whether collaboration with a potential
developer or an internal redesign should be
pursued.
1700 South Trail Intersection
Increase intersection safety and visibility
through activated crosswalk signals and paint
to make the crossing more visible to drivers.
900 South Trail Intersection
Improve the trail and improve signage so that
trail users can easily navigate the Jordan River
Trail.
$700K
$700K
$50K
$150K
$200K
$150K
$200K
$100K
$125K
$50K
$25K
$50K
Bringing the Vision to Life • 161
Capital InvestmentsPriority
Transformational
Projects
9th South River Park
500S Riparian
Peace Labyrinth
Alzheimers Park
Riverside Park
Cornell Lift Station
Fairpark Folsom Confluence
North Temple
1700 South
Glendale Oxbow
Cottonwood Park
Bend In The River / Modesto Park
Total Funding: $9M Bond Funding: $6.5M Add’l Dedicated CIP Funding: $2.5M
Bend in the River & Modesto Parks
$3M (Bond) + $1M (Addl CIP) = $4M Total
A first phase here includes the ‘community
porch’ along Modesto Avenue and
enhancement of the existing wetland as well
as regrading and restoration of the river’s
edge. See page 126 for details.
Cottonwood Park
$3M (Bond) + $1.5M (Addl CIP) = $4.5M Total
A first phase here includes trail and greenway
improvements closely tied to restoration
efforts along both sides of the river to the
east. This also includes improvements to the
trailhead on Redwood Road. See page 140 for
details. This work can likely be completed now
without being removed by levee relocation in
the future.
Glendale Oxbow
A first phase here includes invasive removal,
native planting, regrading for new wetlands,
and restoration of the existing spring. See
page 118 for details.
Note: The Action Plan identifies the need for a feasibility
study as the first step of the work ahead at Rose Park
and therefore is not included in this round of capital
improvements.
$500K (Bond)
162 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Planning for Care
The Emerald Ribbon’s parks vary in their level of activation today. An estimate 60-70 acres of publicly-owned park spaces are designated by this plan as Highly Activated Spaces, which, based on precedents in and around the region, should target an annual spend of between $50K-$70K per acre. This does not need to be financed through public dollars alone: new governance models and increased partnership with the private sector offers the opportunity to open up new funding streams.
Relevant Goals
The following goals support the ongoing
care of transformational projects by ensuring
that new investments are matched with the
continuous management and activation of
those spaces.
1.4 Celebrate and support the culture of the Westside
Develop format agreements with local
organizations to increase programming
focused on local cultural representation.
5.1 Bring programming to the water and the water’s edge
Diversify programming on the water and
pursue partners for water recreation, like a
kayak share program. Develop Fisher Mansion
as a public access node.
5.2 Support small businesses and commercial activation
Identify barriers to small business and
commercial activation on the corridor today,
and identify sites for short- and long-term
commercial activation.
5.5 Create flexible event and gathering spaces Dedicate some parks as Special Event Parks and develop community-scale event infrastructure in those places. Cottonwood Park is a potential site for such a designation. Investment should be coupled with contract agreement(s) with local organizations to run programming for new event spaces.
$500K (Bond)
60-70 ACRES $3.5-$5M PER YEAR
TARGET FUTURE OPERATING COSTS OF ACTIVATED SPACE IN PARKS
$50K-$75K
per acre per year
This includes the cost of
operations, programming,
maintenance, and labor.
Note: Glendale Oxbow, while a priority transformational project, does not include heavily activated space in phase one. The majority of phase one work would be subject to natural lands care estimates on the following page.
Bringing the Vision to Life • 163
Total Capital Funding: $1M
Bond Funding: $1M
Peace Labyrinth
Riparian planting, invasives removal,
regrading for wetlands, and slope
stabilization. 9th South River Park
Riparian planting and regrading for wetlands.
500 South Riparian
Bank stabilization, invasives removal, and
riparian restoration.
Alzheimers Park
Establish and enhance riparian community.
Tie into existing irrigation.
Riverside Park
Conversion of mowed area to riparian area
and connection to existing irrigation.
Cornell Lift Station
Invasive removal, enhanced habitat, and
expansion of the existing wetland.
Fairpark
Establish/enhance riparian community along
trail. Install irrigation.
Folsom Trail
Establish/enhance riparian community along
trail. Install irrigation.
$150K
$200K
$150K
$200K
$100K
$125K
$50K
$25K
Natural Lands
& Restoration
Projects
9th South River Park
Glendale Oxbow
Cottonwood Park
Bend In The River / Modesto Park
500S Riparian
Peace Labyrinth
Alzheimers Park
Riverside Park
Cornell Lift Station
Fairpark Folsom Confluence
North Temple
1700 South
Capital Investments
164 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Planning for Care
For the Emerald Ribbon to thrive as a primarily
natural ecosystem, restoration projects must
be coupled with new management practices
and public storytelling. Success stories already
exist on the corridor today, including Fyfe
Wetlands, the Cornell Lift Station, and the
growth of nature education and volunteer
programs.
Relevant Goals
The following goals support the ongoing care
of natural lands by ensuring their long-term
health and evolution as well as effective public
communication and engagement around
those investments.
1.1 Focus on nature experiences
Create a comprehensive interpretation plan
and promote citizen science on the corridor
with particular focus on youth programming.
Consider developing a ‘Young Ranger’ student
program.
3.1 Establish a public narrative around “Keeping It Wild”
Streamline management areas and
communicate the difference between natural
lands and park lands to the public. Design
visitor-centric restoration areas.
3.3 Develop an effective long-term care model for the corridor
Address overlapping jurisdictions related
to care and maintenance and streamline
ownership of tasks between departments.
3.4 Manage the sources of water pollution
Support Public Utilities in the development
of green infrastructure and the evaluation
of waste systems along the river and its
tributaries. Enforce waste reduction programs.
Improving water quality is a primary concern
for the community; many feel it is a prerequisite
to transforming the river into a beloved natural
asset.
4.4 Leverage policy to protect and enhance the river’s ecological health
Require that new development meet high
standards of environmental superiority,
develop new eco-landscape requirements,
and enforce existing riparian buffer zone
regulations.
*The Operations & Management Plan is a separate document that details proposed management guidelines to support the goals of the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
TARGET FUTURE OPERATING COSTS OF NATURAL LANDS
$8K-$12K
per acre per year
includes monitoring and
ongoing management in
line with the Guidelines
identified by the Operations
& Management Plan*
260-280 ACRES $2.5M - $3.5M PER YEAR
Bringing the Vision to Life • 165
Trail & Safety
Focused Projects
Total Capital Funding: $1.5M Bond Funding: $1.5M
Wayfinding Redesign
Create and implement a corridor-wide
wayfinding system to address safety concerns
and improve navigation.
North Temple Street Intersection and Trail
Develop community-driven plan for the North
Temple Street intersection public realm to
occur in conjunction with new development,
enacting the recommendations of the plan
regarding trail design and intersection
visibility. Clarify Public Lands land ownership
on the quarter mile trail segments north and
south of North Temple Street to determine
whether collaboration with a potential
developer or an internal redesign should be
pursued.
1700 South Trail Intersection
Increase intersection safety and visibility
through activated crosswalk signals and paint
to make the crossing more visible to drivers.
900 South Trail Intersection
Improve the trail and improve signage so that
trail users can easily navigate the Jordan River
Trail.
$700K
$700K
$50K
$50K
Capital Investments
500S Riparian
Peace Labyrinth
Alzheimers Park
Riverside Park
Cornell Lift Station
Fairpark
9th South River Park
Glendale Oxbow
Cottonwood Park
Bend In The River / Modesto Park
Folsom Confluence
North Temple
1700 South
North Temple
1700 South
900 South
166 • Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
Planning for Care
Passive areas include the trail itself, adjacent
greenway areas, and lightly programmed
parkland. Care of these spaces should focus
on ensuring the safety, connectivity, and
accessibility of the Emerald Ribbon for all.
Relevant Goals
The following goals support the ongoing care
of the trail and greenway, as well as passive
areas in parks, to create a safe and welcoming
environment on the Emerald Ribbon and to
protect and enhance it as a mobility corridor.
2.3 Expand trail widths and separate riding and pedestrian paths where possible to reduce conflict
Assess existing trail system conditions and
replace existing trail over the next 10 years
to meet new standards. Develop new bridge
standards and develop a plan for gradual
replacement of very narrow bridges.
3.2 Partner with the community to steward the corridor
Create opportunities for ongoing stewardship
with local organizations. Incentive native
landscape management by private
landowners, especially those that closely abut
the river.
4.3 Introduce more visitors to natural areas and the river by connecting and expanding the Jordan River trail system
Expand the riparian protection ordinance
to include consideration of the Jordan River
Trail. Enhance collaboration with riverfront
landowners and trail stewards.
5.3 Develop multi-pronged approach to public safety on the corridor to address short-term and long-term goals Balance a services-first approach with increased police patrols. Shift amenities into higher visibility areas and activate the street edges, even in passive areas. Improve methods to field complaints and concerns on the corridor. 5.4 Improve trail amenities Add more high quality amenities, including benches, trash cans, and water fountains. Increased shaded rest stops for trail users. Create a lighting standard and fill gaps in lighting using nature-friendly approaches.
TARGET FUTURE OPERATING COSTS OF TRAIL & GREENWAY
50-60 ACRES $1-$2M PER YEAR
$20K-$30K
per acre per year
This includes the assessment
and maintenance of trail and
greenway areas adjacent to the trail
throughout the corridor.
Bringing the Vision to Life • 167
2024
This page has intentionally been left blank
Emerald Ribbon Action Plan
OPERATIONS &
MANAGEMENT GUIDELINES
October 2024
emeraldribbonplan.com
PREPARED FOR
Salt Lake City
PREPARED BY
Siglo Group
Agency Landscape + Planning
CONTENTS
2
1. Benchmarking 4-9
2. Natural Area Management Guidelines 10-47
3. Towards Implementation 48-59
APPENDIX 60-61
3
1. Benchmarking
4
1. Benchmarking Existing Resource Assessment
Comparable Park System
Management Ideas
P6
P8
5
In the “Emerald Ribbon Action Plan Operations & Management Analysis” report, data from Salt Lake City’s asset tracking system, Cartegraph, was used to analyze existing resources and management practices within the Emerald Ribbon corridor. The report found that staffing and time spent on different management tasks vary widely between districts. It is also important to note that it is difficult to track management within the Emerald Ribbon corridor because six different management groups (Districts 1, 4, 5, 6, 8, and Golf) care for the study area but also care for other Public Lands in Salt Lake City. Despite these issues, data from Cartegraph gives us an idea of existing resource use in the corridor.
The table on the following page shows Fiscal Year 2023 data for all Districts (1, 4, 5, 6 and 8). Hours logged vary from 803 hours for District 6 to 5,330 hours for District 1. District 6 is the largest
EXISTING RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
district and it manages natural lands. District 1 is one of the smaller districts and manages formal park spaces. This disparity between natural lands management and formal park management is seen when looking at acres managed per employee (FTE). District 1 has 1 FTE per 27 acres while District 6 has 1 FTE per 271 acres. Overall, the corridor is represented by the work of 8.4 FTEs with 1 FTE per 52.6 acres.
Both the total corridor (Districts 1, 4, 5, 6, 8) and natural lands only (District 6) have fewer resources than comparable cities. In fiscal year 2023, Boise’s park system had 1 FTE per 12.5 acres and Denver’s park system had 1 FTE per 7 acres (data from correspondence with respective city staff). To meet the goals of the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan, Salt Lake City will need to increase investments in both formal park areas and natural lands.
6
Existing Management Resource Assessment (Fiscal Year 2023)
*Golf was not included in Cartegraph data. Golf counts for a significant amount of FTEs and spending within the corridor.**FTE Estimate is based off of total hours logged divided by 2,000 hrs.***Total spending includes Labor, Equipment, and Material costs****District 5 acreage includes 12 acres of the 9-Line that was later removed from the study area.
Caveat: FTE Estimates and Total Spending are based on an analysis of Cartegraph data. This data gives us a general understanding of work tasks. Based on discussion with District Managers, Cartegraph data is likely undercounting total hours and there are likely inconsistencies in how it is being used from district to district.
District*Acres in the corridor Total Hours Logged FTE Estimate**Acres per 1 FTE Total Spending***
District 1 (Formal Parks - North)72 5,330 2.7 27.0 $253,830
District 4 (Formal Parks - South)82 2,775 1.4 59.1 $132,740
District 5**** (Green-belts and medians)55 3,502 1.8 31.4 $164,249
District 6 (Natural Lands)109 803 .4 271.3 $19,984
District 8 (RAC) 124 4,199 2.1 59.1 $166,239
TOTAL 442 16,611 8.4 52.6 $737,042
7
PRECEDENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
The following pages present successful
park precedents that are relevant to
the Emerald Ribbon corridor. These
parks can be looked to for inspiration
when considering improvements for the
Emerald Ribbon.
Buffalo Bayou Partnership creates and stewards parks, trails, and unique spaces, connecting Houstonians in the city’s natural waterway
Boating has been made a central part of the waterways revitalization
Maintenance by multi-jurisdiction partnerships each managing their own trails
Adopt-the-Greenbelt program builds community-centered care for the corridor
Boise RiverBoise, ID
Buffalo BayouHouston, TX
8
The Trail Conservancy, a non-profit, was formed in 2003 to enhance the trail. TTC has invested more
than $13 million in various improvements
Water quality enhancements
like aestheticlaly pleasing connection points for stormwater to enter the canal
Green Corps was created to provide employment and job skills training opportunities to
individuals who are new to the workforce or those seeking a career transition
High Line Canal
Denver, CO
Denver ParksDenver, CO
Butler Hike & Bike TrailAustin, TX
make more in-teresting. add pho-tos?
9
2. Natural Area
Management
Guidelines
10
A Focus on Nature
Adaptive Management
Using the Webmap
Reparing Degredation & Restoring
the Landscape
-Mitigation of Erosion Issues
- Reducing User Impacts -Invasive Species Management
-Establishing Native Plants -Green Stormwater Infrastructure -Wildlife & Habitat Features
Recommended Plant Communities -Wetland -Riparian
-Upland -Formal Parks
P12
P13
P14
P15
P38
11
A FOCUS ON NATURE
The Jordan River is a unique ecosystem within the Wasatch Front that supports hundreds of plant and animal species, serves as a vital ecological corridor, and contributes significantly to the Great Salt Lake. Community engagement for the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan identified restoring a vibrant natural ecosystem as the top priority. Currently, SLC Lands within the Emerald Ribbon Study Area are composed of 16% natural lands, including wetlands, riparian areas, and other managed open space. The Emerald Ribbon Action Plan, based on public input, aims to increase this to at least 30% by 2035. To achieve this, the Operation and Management Guidelines focus on restoring native species, creating room for the river, creating wetlands, restoring riparian and upland habitat, improving water quality, and providing nature experiences. This effort will also convert underutilized park and turf areas into natural lands, allowing formal parks staff to focus on priority tasks. The following pages outline a roadmap for these management actions
944 acres944 acres760 acres760 acres
0 1 mi
Priority Natural Area Projects
Drainages
Roads
Trails
Water
Natural Lands
Formal Managed Space
PROPOSED NATURAL AREAS
Proposed Natural Area Goal:
Natural Areas
Formally Managed Space
30%30%at leastat least
Emerald Ribbon Study Area: The study area includes all SLC Land plus a 150 foot buffer from the shoreline of the Jordan River. This area was assessed in order to understand not only what the city owns but what adjacent opportunities and partnerships might be possible. Such opportunities include acquisition of the Rose Park driving range, partnering with SLCo to implement green infrastructure downslope of the Northwest Community Center, and riparian restoration in the Urban Core.
SLC Land: SLC Land consists of allpublicly-owned land managed by Salt Lake City Public Lands within the Emerald Ribbon Study Area. This designation is important for understanding the geographic extent that SLC Public Lands is directly responsible for within the corridor. The Operations and Management Guidelines use this study area as a basis for all calculations moving forward, unless otherwise noted.
Natural Area Goal: The goal is that SLC Land will be composed of at least 30% healthy natural areas in the next 10+ years. 30% of 760 acres is 228 acres.
12
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENTPROPOSED NATURAL AREAS
land management task monitoring
early detection monitoring
biodiversity tracking
photo points
Recording immediate issues
allows for comparison on
management techniques
over the long-term
How the site changes
over time provides a
qualitative evaluation of
management techniques
Do management
practices need to be
adjusted to meet goals?
Tracking changes in
wildlife and plant
communities will help
evaluate management
successes
Electronic records of past
management decisions
inform ongoing and
future techniques
adaptive ma n a g e m e n t
ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
Adaptive management is a process through which land stewards adjust their approach based on changing conditions and outcomes from previous management. Such adjustments are especially important in the face of potential climate change and prolonged drought. Adaptive management informs ongoing land management practices by assessing changes over time using photo points, observing new issues through early detection monitoring, reviewing successes through land management task monitoring, and tracking changes in plant and animal communities. This dynamic approach allows land managers to build off previous successes and use finite resources most efficiently to move towards long-term management goals. The “Towards Implementation” Chapter contains further guidance for adaptively managing the Emerald Ribbon corridor.
adjusting management
Repairing degradation
and/or restoration
practice
follow up treatment
Repairing degradation and/or
restoration practice
land management action
Intiate ecology focused
management
ecology focus
13
GIS MANAGEMENT TOOL: INTRO TO THE
WEBMAP
The ArcGIS Online webmap is a powerful tool that enables Salt Lake City Public Lands staff to explore various spatial layers more efficiently than traditional paper or digital maps. Most of the layers represent existing conditions. Understanding how they overlay within the study area and interact with other variables can empower staff to make informed decisions regarding the restoration of natural lands. Additionally, the Recommended Plant Communities layer outlines future conditions for the corridor, ensuring the city achieves its goal of maintaining 30% natural lands within the corridor. The “Nature Transition Schedule” section in the Towards Implementation chapter describes how to use the layer.
The list to the right describes important features of the webmap. SLC Public Lands staff should work with a GIS specialist on staff to understand the full utility of the tool and integrate it into their workflow. As staff become more familiar with the tool and data, it can be expanded to include ongoing management actions, helping to track and define future work in a way that supports the goals of the Action Plan.
Webmap Overview:
In the following sections, callouts in dotted red boxes will give further information about how to use different layers within the webmap!
CLICK HERE to visit the webmap or copy and paste the address below:
1. Map viewer: Layers can be toggled on and off by clicking the eye icon to the right of the layer name. Use your mouse to zoom and pan through the map.
2. Layer Attributes: Discrete layer attributes can be viewed by clicking a shape, line or point in the map viewer. To see the attribute table for all shapes, lines or points within a layer, click the three dots to the right of the layer and then choose “Show Table”.
3. Metadata: There is metadata for each layer that includes a short description and source. The metadata can be accessed by clicking on the layer in the map viewer and scrolling to the bottom of the pop up window.
4. Data Maintenance: This map is intended to be maintained by SLC Public Lands. SLC Public Lands staff should ensure that layers are up to date on an annual basis. As new, relevant layers become available, they should be added to the webmap.
https://siglogroup.maps.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=bd0a66d6358b46648dd66486529e0def
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
14
Mitigation of erosion issues
Reducing user impacts
Invasive Species Management
REPAIRING DEGRADATION & RESTORING THE LANDSCAPE
This section addresses the types of environmental degradation found within the Jordan River corridor. To restore ecological health, these issues must be addressed before or during restoration, or restoration efforts will be ineffective.
Landscape management actions described here will move the corridor towards the goals outlined in the action plan. Major categories of actions include (1) Repairing Degradation – fixing something that is an issue – and (2) Ecological Restoration – increasing ecological health. Guidance for (1) Repairing Degradation and (2) Ecological Restoration are described in general on the following pages and can be applied to all (3) Recommended Plant Communities. Recommended Plant Community pages have information that is unique to each plant community.
The recommended plant community types describe the desired landscape character post restoration. These pages have information that is unique to each plant community type.
Once degradation in an area has been addressed, native vegetation can be restored or enhanced to create healthy plant communities and habitat for wildlife, as well as a beautiful setting for human enjoyment. We provide basic guidelines for establishing and caring for native plants, increasing soil health, incorporating green infrastructure, and increasing wildlife habitat.
(1) Repairing Degradation:
(3) Recommended Plant Communities:
(2) Ecological Restoration:
Establishing Native Plants
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Wildlife & Habitat Features
Riparian
Upland
Wetland
Formal Parks
15
Human actions, infrastructure, and stormwater flows all impact the Emerald Ribbon’s ability to support stable, healthy soils. While restoration actions can reduce water flow, the localized effects of previous erosion must still be addressed. When erosion is detected, it is critical to establish stability and to limit the cause of erosion where feasible. Site inspections should occur after major snowmelt or storm events and should include monitoring of potential or known locations of sheet, rill, gully, and bank erosion.
Reduce sheet erosion
Sheet erosion is caused by a shallow layer of water that flows over the ground’s surface as a result of rainfall, irrigation, or runoff. It can be best addressed with mowing reduction, seeding, temporary fencing, jute netting, and/or straw wattles.
Reduce rill & gully erosion
Rill erosion is caused by water runoff that forms small channels in the soil as it flows down a slope. Gully erosion is a more serious form of rill erosion. These types of erosion may require regrading, strategic planting, and/or the installation of
flow barriers such as temporary (straw wattles), permanent (gabions), or flow dispersers. In some cases, erosion may be so significant that land management practices alone can not solve the issue. In these cases the incorporation of green stormwater infrastructure and potentially larger changes upstream from the site may be necessary.
Reduce Jordan River bank erosion
Minor bank erosion may be controllable with willow stakes and best management practices such as jute netting. Salt Lake County has also successfully used Christmas tree revetments for bank stabilization. The recommended actions for banks with extreme erosion along the Jordan River include soil lifts and regrading to a more gradual slope. When installing soil lifts, place them on the outside bend of the river which receives more erosive force when the flow is high. The inside bends can be graded to a 4:1 slope or an even more gradual slope. Inspect soil lifts after heavy snowmelt or rain events to ensure they are properly anchored or not damaged or undercut. The shoreline of the Jordan River is managed by Utah Forestry, Fire, and State Lands (FFSL), so all projects must be coordinated with this agency.
Bank erosion along the Jordan River
Mitigation of erosion issues
See the “Slope” layer in the webmap. Slopes that are consistently over 45-60% should be checked in the field for severe issues. The “Contours” layer can be used to understand high/low points and the movement of water over the landscape.
Reducing user impacts
16
Formalize Trails
Some informal trails can be formalized and added to the regular trail system. This process directs the flow of users to formal areas, decreases informal use, and allows for decommissioning and restoring other informal trails. For example, formalizing the informal trail on the southwest side of the river, just east of Cottonwood Park, will create a safer trail that is closely aligned with ecological goals.
Utilize Trail Design Principles
Trails must be carefully designed to accommodate the number of users, eliminate erosion, eliminate washing away of trail material, reduce impact to adjacent natural areas, and create an amazing user experience. Ecological considerations for the trails include:
• Stabilize trails within 50 ft of the water’s edge.• Stabilize trails with a downslope side of 15% or greater within 2 ft of the trail.• Stabilize trails in low-lying or frequently flooded areas.• Limit the number of trails running parallel to waterways that are within 50 ft of water’s edge.
Formalize Water Access
Formalizing water access points is important in protecting the fragile ribbon of habitat along the water’s edge. Ecological considerations for water access points include:
• Redirect traffic to formalized access points to reduce damage to the shoreline and prevent erosion.• Consider flooding and stormwater runoff.• Ensure access complements natural areas and allows them to thrive adjacent to the water’s edge.
Reducing user impacts
• Create robust water access points that extend perpendicular from the main trail to the water’s edge, providing good access while protecting healthy riparian areas from trampling and informal use.
Utilize Signage & Fencing
All restoration projects should include a combination of knee-high fencing and signage to communicate that these native landscapes are desired and need space in order to thrive. Standardized signage and fencing materials should be used throughout the corridor. A positive public perception of natural areas is important to management and success.
Addressing Camping on the Corridor
As described in the Action Plan in Guiding Principle 5, Goal 3, Public Lands Advocates for a services-first approach paired with an increase in patrols. Supporting the unhoused population and alleviating its negative impacts on restoration activity will be key to fully realizing the objectives of the Action Plan. Activating the corridor (as described below), along with the use of fencing and signage, as well as restoration activities can all support the ecological restoration of the corridor. For instance, wetlands—an essential component of a healthy Jordan River—contribute to water quality, plant biodiversity, and wildlife habitat, but are less conducive to camping.
The “Jordan River Trail” layer in the webmap shows existing, formal trails.
Simple, knee high fencing can discourage off trail activity.
17
The critical role of invasives management
Managing invasive species is critical for maintaining and restoring the Emerald Ribbon’s ecological function. Controlling invasive species is a long-term process that requires repeated treatments. The list on the following page shows 43 invasive species that have been identified within the corridor using SLC’s tree database, iNaturalist observations, and field data from staff. This data is opportunistic and likely not complete, so each restoration project should be assessed for invasives on a case by case basis. Each of these species has a set of best management practices as recommended by the Salt Lake City Trails and Natural Lands Noxious and Invasive Weed Management Plan (2023).
Invasive Species Management
The most recent version of the Invasive Weed Management Plan should always be used to inform invasive management methods within the Emerald Ribbon corridor.
The ideal defense against invasive species is robust native plant communities that prevent invasive species from establishing. Minimizing bare ground, decreasing soil disturbance, and increasing the number of native species reduces opportunities for invasive plants to take advantage of gaps. Therefore, open space created in a natural area by thinning, invasive species removal, or other management actions should be planted or seeded as soon as possible. Invasive species that require full sun can also be reduced by expanding woodlands that create more shaded conditions.
Recently removed Russion olive in the riparian area at the future Glendale Regional Park site.
18
Scientific Name Common Name Invasive rank
Bromus tectorum Cheatgrass Invasive
Elaeagnus angustifolia Russian olive Noxious; Class 4
Hesperis matronalis Dame's rocket Noxious; Class 4
Aegilops cylindrica Jointed goat grass Noxious; Class 3
Cirsium arvense Canada thistle Noxious; Class 3
Conium maculatum Poison hemlock Noxious; Class 3
Convolvulus arvensis Field bindweed Noxious; Class 3
Elymus repens Quack Grass Noxious; Class 3
Lepidium draba Tall Whitetop Noxious; Class 3
Lepidium latifolium Broadleaved pepperweed Noxious; Class 3
Leuzea repens Russian knapweed Noxious; Class 3
Onopordum acanthium Scotch thistle Noxious; Class 3
Phragmites australis Common reed Noxious; Class 3
Tamarix ramosissima Tamarisk Noxious; Class 3
Tribulus terrestris Puncture vine Noxious; Class 3
Centaurea stoebe Spotted knapweed Noxious; Class 2
Isatis tinctoria Dyer's woad Noxious; Class 2
Polygonum cuspidatum Japanese knotweed Noxious; Class 1
Scorzonera laciniata Cutleaf vipergrass Noxious; Class 1
Ailanthus altissima Tree-of-heaven Non-listed Control Species
Ulmus pumila Siberian elm Non-listed Control Species
Alyssum simplex Field Alison Non-listed Control Species
Arctium minus Lesser burdock Non-listed Control Species
Asperugo procumbens Madwort Non-listed Control Species
Bassia scoparia Summer-cypress Non-listed Control Species
Cichorium intybus Chicory Non-listed Control Species
Cirsium vulgare Bull Thistle Non-listed Control Species
Dipsacus fullonum Wild teasel Non-listed Control Species
Iris pseudacorus Yellow Iris Non-listed Control Species
Juglans regia Persian walnut Non-listed Control Species
Lactuca serriola Prickly lettuce Non-listed Control Species
Medicago lupulina Black Medick Non-listed Control Species
Medicago sativa Alfalfa Non-listed Control Species
Melilotus officinalis Yellow Sweetclover Non-listed Control Species
Populus alba White poplar Non-listed Control Species
Rumex crispus Curly dock Non-listed Control Species
Salix fragilis Crack willow Non-listed Control Species
Salsola kali Saltwort Non-listed Control Species
Secale cereale Rye Non-listed Control Species
Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet nightshade Non-listed Control Species
Tragopogon dubius Yellow Salsify Non-listed Control Species
Vinca major Greater periwinkle Non-listed Control Species
Vinca minor Lesser periwinkle Non-listed Control Species
Invasive Species Management
”Invasive Rank” explained:
Invasive: Defined by the state of Utah and SLCo as invasive.
Noxious, Class 2-4: Defined by the County and State of Utah as “Noxious”. 4 is most problematic, 1 is least problematic.
Non-listed Control Species: A list managed by TNL of management concerns for SLC properties. Many of these species are ornamental, non-native, or weedy species that do not support TNL’s goal of creating diverse, adaptable, and primarily native landscapes.
Highlighted species are most problematic in the corridor!
The “Invasive Species” layer in the webmap contains points for invasive species surveyed in the corridor. Data was collected from SLC’s Tree Keeper as well as iNaturalist.
19
Invasive Species Management
Invasive removal priorities
Highly visible invasive issues within the corridor are (1) Invasive trees, specifically Siberian elm and Russian olive and (2) Phragmites, also known as Common Reed. Strategic approaches to removal of these species are outlined below.
R u s s i an olive
Sib e r i a n elm (1) INVASIVE TREESMuch of the shoreline is dominated by non-native or undesirable trees and shrubs including Russian olive, Siberian elm, tree of heaven, and tamarisk. While long-term we want to return much of the corridor to native trees to create native wildlife habitat and create a more ecologically healthy system, we also want to be judicious and recognize it takes many years for trees to mature and provide shade for trail users. To this end we recommend transitioning reaches of the river in a three phase approach:
• Phase 1 (lasting 1 to 3 years): Remove ⅓ of invasive canopy, focusing on the removal of unhealthy trees first (if applicable). This will create pockets of light. Plant recommended canopy species in these open areas.
• Phase 2 (lasting 1 to 3 years): Remove an additional third of the canopy (again focusing on unhealthy trees if applicable). Plant recommended canopy species in the Phase 2 removal areas and plant understory species in the initial third.
• Phase 3 (lasting 1 to 3 years): Remove the remaining third, plant understory species in the second third, and seed out an herbaceous layer in the initial third. Alternatively - if the invasive trees being removed are Siberian elm, do not remove the remaining ⅓ if trees are healthy and providing benefits such as bank stabilization and trail shade. Any remaining non-native trees can be removed after native canopy has been established. Regularly monitor for invasive saplings in the vicinity and treat as needed.
Phra g m i t e s
20
Phra g m i t e s
(2) PHRAGMITESPhragmites is an invasive, reed-like grass that grows in wet areas along the banks of the Jordan River. As compared to other stretches of the river, Public Lands, and its partners have done a relatively good job managing it within the corridor. It however continues to be a persistent problem. It can be treated mechanically and chemically. Public Lands will likely have the best outcome with a multi-pronged approach that varies based on the specific location and circumstances.
• Chemical Treatment: Following Salt Lake City IPM practices, utilize a water-safe herbicide to treat above ground material in late Summer.
• Mechanical Approach: Can occur after herbicide treatment or instead of it. At minimum, remove above ground biomass about 30 days after herbicide has been applied. Where feasible, remove below ground biomass.
• Flooding: By changing the water levels within the corridor, Phragmites can lose its competitive edge during the summer growing season. Water depth greater than 12” will inhibit the lateral spread of phragmites through rhizomes and stolons.
• Competition: Establish bulrush and canopy trees to compete with Phragmites after treatment.
• Changing Grade: Consider areas dominated by Phragmites as potential wetland restoration zones. Utilize appropriate methods to lower the grade so that the water table is at or near the surface, and replant areas previously occupied by Phragmites with recommended wetland species.
21
Planting and seeding can speed repair of ecological damage by quickly stabilizing soils, increasing diversity, shading out invasive plants, and better defining the user experience. Factors to consider when deciding between planting and seeding include availability of irrigation, moisture in soils, visibility of the site, presence of invasive species (including in the seed bank), cost of labor and resources, and whether natural recovery is a realistic option. Planting approaches for trees, shrubs, and forbs range from larger container trees that need substantial irrigation and establishment support to small bare root seedlings that require fewer resources but will have a higher mortality rate. For woody species, in most cases, smaller container plants will be the most efficient use of resources. During the establishment period (approximately 3 years), access should be restricted from seeded/planted areas to protect the developing seedlings and saplings.
An initial list of recommended plants can be found in the following pages. This list was created based on healthy native plant communities in
Establishing Native Plants
Northern Utah. The plants on the list meet the following criteria:
• Native to Utah—historically occurring without introduction in Northern Utah, with plants found in surrounding ecoregions considered on a case-by-case basis;• Plant material should be grown within 250 miles of the Emerald Ribbon;• Available through the local nursery trade or Native Plant Society groups;• Successfully used in restoration projects within Northern Utah;• Add diversity to the Emerald Ribbon’s current plant communities; and/or• Recommended for this or similar projects by arborists, ecologists, or land management professionals.
As the SLC team implements further projects with a focus on the use of native plants, this list should be revised to reflect that experience. This should be considered a working list that changes over time.
A lovely mix of native wetland and upland plants at Fife Wetland
22
Establishing Native Plants
Prioritize soil health
Soils within the corridor have been altered for over 150 years. Addressing soil compaction, composition, and biota are critical to the long-term care of the corridor as well as the success of restoration projects. Addressing soil issues will result in increased plant health, water infiltration, water quality, and a more robust corridor. For all restoration projects, it is recommended to test soil compaction, chemistry, and biotics before planting with a focus on salinity and sodium levels that can both be issues in the corridor. Utah State University Analytical Laboratories is a great resource for running these tests and interpreting results. Depending on results, soil should be decompacted and amended before planting or seeding occurs.
For planting projects, the area immediately adjacent to the planted material should be decompacted and amended as needed to create mediums appropriate for good root growth and water infiltration. This can be done by utilizing a planting hole twice as large as the root ball and backfilling with a combination of compost and site soil. In addition, trenching between tree wells, can promote root growth throughout the area of planting and mimic connections between trees found in established woodlands. These trenches can be filled with the same combination of site soil and compost. Additional soils remaining can be used to create berms that hold or direct water to the tree wells.
For seeding projects, it is likely soil testing will suggest the need for decompaction and compost. Compost includes organic matter utilized by plants for growth, increases soil texture that supports better water infiltration,
and reduces issues with salinity. A combination of ripping the soil (likely 6 to 12” and potentially more depending on site and desired outcome), along with the addition of amendments into the first 4” of soil as a starting point for seeding projects can provide a fertile soil bed for germination and plant growth.
Optimize Irrigation
While irrigation increases costs and the ecological footprint of projects, it also increases survivability, and is often necessary in highly visible, highly used areas, but less necessary in more remote parts of the site. Irrigation can be critical during the first three years of establishment, especially during the dry summer months. Irrigation should be designed with a focus on water conservation to reduce the overall amount of irrigation, including reducing potable water use. However, in some cases, the cost of installing required irrigation may be prohibitive for a project.
Consult SLC irrigation specialists on all new irrigation projects and take advantage of the new smart watering system for SLC Public Lands. The following options can be considered in order to take advantage of resources available along the Jordan River:
• Pumping from the river: In some cases, low-flow, solar-powered systems can be utilized to irrigate sections of the corridor. These systems can help restore the hydrology of the corridor while reducing costs and waste associated with using potable water.
• Grading ground plane to be closer to water table: In places where wetland and riparian restoration are to occur, grading closer to the water table reduces the need for irrigation, while at the same time increasing floodplain volume, and wetter systems along the river that have been historically filled in.
23
Establishing Native Plants
Utilizing Container Plants
Live plantings help to stabilize soils, increase diversity, shade out invasive species, and better define the user experience. Live plantings can consist of trees, understory, groundcover, or any combination of the three. In all cases, the following guidelines are critical:
• Prepare for success: Prepare the area for planting by mitigating erosion issues, reducing user impacts, and managing invasives. The plant palette must be determined with careful consideration of the typical site conditions (i.e., soil moisture and light).
• Establish oversight: Planting should be overseen by a trained individual who will ensure that the plants are handled properly and that the right species and number of plants are installed using appropriate planting techniques.
• Check plant quality: Plants should be inspected when they are delivered to the site and again before going into the ground to ensure that they meet growth specifications, are healthy, and have no weeds growing in the pots.
• Match plant material to use patterns: Where new plantings occur along trails or other high-use areas, ensure that plantings are protected or can withstand expected use. Where formal access to the water’s edge is planned, ensure plantings will discourage informal pathways. Tall growing bunchgrasses can both stabilize the shoreline edge and discourage individuals from trespassing.
• Plant the right size: Plants should be the smallest size suitable for the circumstances. Small caliper trees and smaller potted plants establish faster and are less expensive, while larger plants are ideal for areas where trampling or aesthetics are of immediate concern.
• Plant in the right place: The recommended plant list found in the following pages includes appropriate plant communities for each species. Take advantage of shade vs. sun, microtopography and high moisture areas to increase plant species diversity. Beyond the distinctions in the recommended plant list, an experienced professional should facilitate decisions about where particular plants are placed. This will be particularly true for any potential rain gardens, swales, or wetlands. Planting trees in clumps or mottes rather than evenly spaced creates a more natural aesthetic. Spacing between trunks can range in riparian and upland areas from 10 to 30 ft with smaller spacing recommended for smaller species.
• Plant at the right time of year: Planting should occur in early spring (April - May) or early fall (September - October) to allow plants to establish while the ground is more likely to be moist and temperatures are moderate.
• Irrigation: For restoration projects, creative solutions should be evaluated to reduce the overall costs of irrigation systems. In general, live plantings should be watered through establishment that can last up to three years. For smaller plant material, drip irrigation can be used, while large plant material can use bubblers.
• Continue care: Whether trees, understory, or groundcover, planting is only the first step. Long-term success requires that the new plants have sufficient water, are not being outcompeted by invasive species, are not impacted by erosion issues, and are protected from trail users.
24
Utilizing Seeding
Seeding can be used independently or to complement live plantings. Seeding is most effective in areas where trampling is unlikely, where the seed will not be washed away, and where live planting is impractical. Proper site preparation is crucial for seeding success; refer to the invasive species management, erosion control, soil preparation, and irrigation sections above for guidance. When implemented successfully, seeding is a cost-effective method to restore or enhance an area.
While restoring or increasing the diversity of plant species is encouraged across all plant communities within the Emerald Ribbon, seeding large areas may not always be feasible due to constraints like cost, labor, site access, or time. To reduce labor and cost, “seed islands” can be utilized. A seed island is a small, strategically planted or seeded area intended to promote the spread of vegetation into the surrounding landscape. These areas can be as small as 8 ft by 8 ft. Multiple seed islands can be used to create a patchwork over large areas. The seed island should be free of invasive species, have amended soil if necessary, and erosion control measures in place. This concept can be applied in any restoration zone, and all planting and seeding efforts should be designed to act as seed islands for adjacent areas.
Important factors for seeding include:
• Seed Sources: Seeds should come from a reputable seed distributor that specializes in native species. Ensure the seeds are tested for purity and are free of weeds.
• Address Erosion and Invasive Species: As mentioned earlier, controlling erosion and invasive species is critical before seeding to create a suitable environment for germination.
• Prepare the Soil: Prepare the soil to support good seed-to-soil contact and a healthy growing medium as described above.
• Seed at the Right Time: For best results seed in fall. This timing allows for winter stratification and takes advantage of winter precipitation.
• Use Proper Seeding Rates: Seeding rates will vary based on seed type and whether the seeding is adding diversity to an area with existing vegetation, complementing live plantings, or establishing vegetation in an area prepped specifically for seeding. Higher seeding rates can suppress undesirable species. While seeding rates can vary, a general guideline for budgeting is to start with 20 lbs per acre.
• Spread the Seed: Seed dispersal methods will depend on the site conditions. For relatively flat areas, a no-till drill or seed drill is recommended. In areas with steep slopes, hydromulching may be necessary. For sites that are difficult to access or have budget constraints, a push-behind or hand-operated broadcast spreader can be used in combination with a roller or other means to press the seed into the soil. Seed to soil contact is one of the main drivers of germination success and thus how the seed is dispersed is critical.
• Determine Irrigation Needs: Irrigation is essential to ensure that germinating seedlings remain hydrated and that soil moisture is maintained during establishment. This is particularly important in areas with high visibility or intensive use.
Establishing Native Plants
25
NATIVE PLANT LIST: FORBS (1 OF 3)
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Achillea millefolium Yarrow X X X
Alkali mallow Malvella leprosa X
Antennaria microphylla Common pussytoe X
Apocynum androsaemifolium Spreading dogbane X
Apocynum cannabinum Hemp dogbane X X X
Aquilegia chrysantha Golden columbine X X X
Aquilegia coerulea Blue columbine X
Aquilegia fomosa Western columbine X
Argemone munita Flatbud pricklypoppy X
Asclepias asperula Antelope horn milkweed X
Asclepias fascicularis Mexican whorled milkweed X X X
Asclepias incarnata Swamp milkweed X X X
Asclepias speciosa Showy milkweed X X X X
Astragalus utahensis Utah milkvetch X
Balsamorhiza sagittata Arrowleaf balsamroot X X
Castilleja chromosa Desert paintbrush X X
Chamaenerion angustifolium Fireweed X
Cirsium undulatum Wavyleaf thistle X X
Cleome serrulata Rocky Mountain beeplant X
Coreopsis lanceolata Lance-leaved coreopsis X X
Cymopterus longipes Longstalk springparsley X
Dalea purpurea Purple prairie clover X
Datura wrightii Sacred datura X X
Descurainia pinnata Wetsern tansymustard
Dieteria canescens Hoary tansyaster X
Epilobium brachycarpum Panicled willowherb X X X X
Epilobium canum California fuschia X
Epilobium ciliatum Fringed willowherb X X X
Erigeron divergens Spreading fleabane X
Erigeron formosissimus Beautiful fleabane X
Erysimum capitatum Western wallflower X
Establishing Native Plants
*Highly recommended species include species that have been observed doing well in similar landscapes and/or were recommended by SLC city staff, county watershed guidelines, and JRC
26
NATIVE PLANT LIST: FORBS (2 OF 3)
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Eschscholzia californica California poppy X
Euthamia occidentalis Tall goldenrod X X X X
Gaillardia aristata Blanket flower X X
Gaillardia pinnatifida Hopi blanketflower X
Gaillardia pulchella Indian blanket X X X
Glycyrrhiza lepidota American licorice X X X
Grindelia squarrosa Curlycup gumweed X X
Gutierrezia sarothrae Broom snakeweed X
Hedysarum boreale Utah sweetvetch X X
Helenium autumnale Sneezeweed X X X
Helianthus nuttallii Nuttalls sunflower X X X X
Helianthus petiolaris Prairie sunflower X
Heterotheca villosa Hairy false goldenaster X X
Hydrophyllum capitatum Ballhead waterleaf X
Linum lewisii Lewis flax X X
Lomatium dissectum Fernleaf biscuitroot X
Maianthemum racemosum Feathery false lily-of-the-valley X X X X
Mentzelia laevicaulis Mentzelia laevicaulis X
Mirabilis multiflora Desert four o'clock X X
Oenothera caespitosa Tufted evening primrose X
Oenothera elata Tall evening primrose X X X
Oenothera macrocarpa Bigfruit evening primrose X X
Oenothera pallida Pale evening primrose X
Oenothera speciosa Pink evening primrose X X
Osmorhiza occidentalis Western sweetroot X X
Penstemon ambiguus Bush penstemon X
Penstemon cyananthus Wasatch beardtongue X
Penstemon eatonii Firecracker penstemon X X
Penstemon palmeri Palmer's penstemon X X
Penstemon rydbergii Rydberg's penstemon X X
Penstemon scarious v. albifluvis White River penstemon X
Establishing Native Plants
27
NATIVE PLANT LIST: FORBS (3 OF 3)
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Penstemon strictus Rocky Mountain penstemon X
Penstemon subglaber Great Basin penstemon X
Phacelia linearis Threadleaf phacelia X
Phlox hoodii Spiny phlox X
Phlox longifolia Longleaf phlox X X
Phlox subulata Moss phlox X
Physalis longifolia Longleaf groundcherry X
Potentilla gracilis Slender cinquefoil X X X
Prunella vulgaris Common selfheal X X
Ranunculus occidentalis Western buttercup X X X
Ratibida columnifera Upright prairie coneflower X
Rubus parviflorus Thimbleberry X X
Rudbeckia hirta Black Eyed Susan X X
Solanum rostratum Buffalo-bur X
Solidago candensis Canada goldenrod X
Solidago velutina Velvet goldenrod X X
Sphaeralcea ambigua Desert globemallow X X
Sphaeralcea coccinea Scarlet globemallow X X
Sphaeralcea munroana Munro's orange globemal-low X
Sphaeralcea parvifolia small-leaf globemallow X
Sphaeralcea grossulariaefolia Gooseberry globemallow X X
Stephanomeria occulata Disguised waterlettuce X
Symphyotrichum ascendens Everywhere Aster X X X
Symphyotrichum laeve Smooth blue aster X
Verbena hastata Swamp verbena X X
Wyethia amplexicaulis Mule-ears X X X
Wyethia scabra Badlands mule-ears X
Establishing Native Plants
28
NATIVE PLANT LIST: GRASSES AND SEDGES (1 OF 3)
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Achnatherum hymenoides Indian ricegrass X X
Aristida purpurea Purple threeawn X X
Bolboschoenus maritimus Alkali bulrush X X
Bouteloua gracilis Blue grama X X
Bromus ciliatus Fringed brome X X X
Buchloe dactyloides Buffalograss X X
Calamagrostis canadensis Bluejoint X X
Carex aquatilis Water sedge X
Carex atheroides Slough Sedge X X X
Carex nebrascensis Nebraska nutsedge X X
Carex pellita Woolly sedge X X
Carex praegracilis Clustered field sedge X X X
Carex stipata Awlfruited sedge X X
Chasmanthium latifolium Northern sea oats X X X
Cyperus erythrorhizos Redroot flatsedge X
Cyperus squarrosus Bearded flatsedge X
Deschampsia cespitosa Tufted hairgrass X
Dichanthelium oligosanthes Heller's rosette grass X X
Distichlis spicata Saltgrass X X X X
Distichlis stricta Desert saltgrass X
Eleocharis palustris Common spikerush X X
Elymus canadensis Canada wildrye X X
Elymus glaucus Blue wildrye X X X
Elymus lanceolatus ssp. psam-mophilus Streambank wheatgrass X X X
Elymus trachycaulus ssp. Tra-chycaulus Slender wheatgrass X X X
Elymus wawawaiensis Snake River wheatgrass X X X
Eragrostis hypnoides Teal lovegrass X X
Festuca arizonica Arizona fescue X
Festuca idahoensis Idaho fescue X X
Festuca rubra Native red fescue X X X
Glyceria striata Fowl mannagrass X X
Hesperostipa comata Needle and thread X
Hordeum brachyantherum Meadow barley X X X
Establishing Native Plants
29
NATIVE PLANT LIST: GRASSES AND SEDGES (2 OF 3)
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Hordeum pusillum Little barley X X
Juncus arcticus Arctic rush X X X
Juncus balticus Baltic rush X X X
Juncus bufonius Toad rush X X X
Juncus tenuis Poverty rush X X
Juncus torreyi Torrey's rush X X X
Koeleria macrantha Prairie Junegrass X
Leersia oryzoides Rice cutgrass X X
Leymus cinereus Great Basin wildrye X X X
Leymus salinus Salina wildrye X X
Leymus triticoides Creeping wildrye X X X X
Muhlenbergia asperifolia Scratchgrass X X X X
Muhlenbergia rigens Deergrass X X X
Munroa squarrosa False buffalograss X
Panicum virgatum Switchgrass X X X
Pascopyrum smithii Western wheatgrass X X
Pleuraphis jamesii Galleta grass X X
Poa secunda ssp. sandbergii Sandberg bluegrass X X
Pseudoroegneria spicata Bluebunch wheatgrass X X
Schizachyrium scoparium Little bluestem X X X
Schoenoplectus acutus Hardstem bulrush X X
Schoenoplectus americanus American three-square bulrush X X
Schoenoplectus pungens Common threesquare X
Schoenoplectus tabernaemon-tani Softstem bulrush X
Scirpus microcarpus Small-fruit bulrush X X
Sparganium eurycarpum Broadfruit bur-reed X X
Spartina gracilis Alkali cordgrass X X X X
Spartina pectinata Prairie cordgrass X X
Sporobolus airoides Alkali sacaton X X X
Sporobolus cryptandrus Sand dropseed X X X
Sporobolus wrightii Giant dropseed X X
Stipa hymenoides Indian ricegrass X X
Establishing Native Plants
30
NATIVE PLANT LIST: GROUNDCOVER
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Petrophytum caespitosum Rockmat X
NATIVE PLANT LIST: CACTUS AND SUCCULENTS
NATIVE PLANT LIST: VINES
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Agave utahensis Utah agave X
Echinocereus triglochidiatus Claret cup cactus X
Opuntia basilaris Beavertail cactus X
Opuntia diploursina Mojave pickly pear X
Opuntia engelmannii Cactus apple X
Opuntia fragilis Brittle prickly pear X
Opuntia polyacantha Plains prickly pear X
Opuntia polyacantha var. erina-cea Grizzlybear prickly pear X
Sesevium verrucosum Western sea-purslane X
Yucca baccata Banana yucca X
Yucca harrimaniae Harriman's yucca X
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly Recommended
Campsis radicans Trumpet creeper X
Clematis ligusticifolia Western virgin's bower X X X X
Cucurbita foetidissima Stinking gourd X
Vitis labrusca Fox grape X X
Establishing Native Plants
31
NATIVE PLANT LIST: SHRUBS (1 OF 2)
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon X X
Amelanchier alnifolia Saskatoon serviceberry X X
Amelanchier utahensis Utah serviceberry X X
Artemisia arbuscula Low sagebrush X
Artemisia ludoviciana Wormwood sagebrush X X
Artemisia tridentata var. triden-tata Basin Big Sagebrush X
Artemisia tridentata var. wyo-mingensis Big sagebrush X X
Artmesia filifolia Sand sagebrush X
Atriplex canescens Fourwing saltbrush X X
Atriplex confertifolia Shadscale X X
Berberis fendleri Fendler's barberry X
Chamaebatiaria millefolium Fernbush X X
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Yellow rabbitbrush X X
Cornus sericea Redosier dogwood X X
Cowania stansburyana Stansbury's cliffrose X X
Crataegus douglasii Black hawthorn X X X
Crataegus douglasii var. rivularis River hawthorn X X
Dasiphora fruticosa Shrubby cinquefoil X X X
Ephedra viridis Mormon tea X
Ericameria nauseosa Rubber rabbitbrush X
Eriogonum corymbosum Crispleaf buckwheat X
Fallugia paradoxa Apache plume X
Forestiera neomexicana Stretchberry X
Garrya flavescens Silktassel bush X
Heliotropium curassavicum Salt heliotrope X X
Juniperus scopulorum Rocky Mountain Juniper X
Krascheninnikovia lanata Winterfat X X
Mahonia repens Creeping Oregon grape X X
Monardella odoratissima Fragrant monardella X X
Nolina microcarpa Beargrass X X
Establishing Native Plants
32
NATIVE PLANT LIST: SHRUBS (2 OF 2)
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Paxistima myrsinites Oregon boxwood X X
Pinus edulis Colorado pinyon X
Prunus virginiana melanocarpa Common chokecherry X X
Purshia glandulosa Mojave bitterbrush X
Purshia mexicana Cliffrose X
Purshia tridentata Antelope bitterbrush X X
Quercus turbinella Turbinella oak X
Rhus aromatica Fragrant sumac X X X
Rhus glabra Smooth sumac X X
Rhus glabra cismontana Dwarf Smooth Sumac X X
Rhus trilobata Oakleaf Sumac X X
Rhus typhina Staghorn sumac X
Ribes aureum Golden currant X X X X
Rosa woodsii Wood's rose X X X
Salix exigua coyote willow X
Sarcobatus vermiculatus Black greasewood X X X
Shepherdia argentea Silver buffaloberry X X X
Symphoricarpos albus Common snowberry X X X
Symphoricarpos oreophilus Mountain snowberry X X X
Symphoricarpos rotundifolius Roundleaf snowberry X X
Establishing Native Plants
33
NATIVE PLANT LIST: TREES
Scientific Name Common Name Riparian Wetland Upland Highly
Recommended
Acer glabrum Rocky Mountain Maple X X
Acer grandidentatum Bigtooth maple X X X
Acer negundo Box elder X X X X
Betula occidentalis Water birch X X X
Catalpa speciosa Northern catalpa X X
Celtis occidentalis Common hackberry X X
Celtis reticulata Netleaf hackberry X X X
Cercis occidentalis Western redbud X X
Cercocarpus ledifolius Curleaf Mountain Mahog-any X X
Gleditsia triacanthos Honey locust X
Juniperus communis Common juniper
Juniperus osteosperma Utah Juniper X X
Platanus occidentalis American sycamore X X
Populus angustifolia Narrowleaf cottonwood X X X
Populus fremontii Fremont Cottonwood X X
Prunus virginiana Chokecherry X X
Quercus gambelii Gambel oak X X
Quercus macrocarpa Bur oak X X
Salix amygdaloides Peachleaf willow X X X
Salix bebbiana Bebbs Willow X X X
Salix exigua Narrowleaf Willow X X
Salix lasiandra Shinning willow X X X
Establishing Native Plants
34
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Green stormwater infrastructure can address one of the major causes of water quality issues and erosion: fast-moving water often coming out of outfalls, off roads, parking lots, and buildings. Rain gardens, swales, berms, and grading changes can slow water flowing across a landscape. When water moves more slowly, it has longer to soak into the soil, reducing erosion, preventing sediment and pollutants from entering streams and springs, and increasing groundwater supplies. Green infrastructure offers other benefits, including increased river flow and wildlife habitat. In addition, a well-planned and designed green stormwater installation can heighten the aesthetics and quality of the user experience in these areas.The green infrastructure implemented in the corridor can serve as a model for similar work needed further upstream to address water quality issues throughout the Jordan River and its tributaries.
Where to Implement Green Infrastructure
The biggest opportunities for green infrastructure within the corridor occurs in conjunction with outfalls that release stormwater into the Jordan River. Areas along the Jordan River that are near an outfall and have sufficient space should be prioritized as areas to implement green infrastructure. The stormwater outfall layer in the webmap shows outfalls that meet this criteria. Wetland recommended plant communities in the webmap have been added to correspond to these prioritized storm drains.
Aside from outfalls, green infrastructure should be prioritized in areas experiencing erosion issues. These areas may have standing water after heavy rain, periodically carry large volumes of stormwater, are open with no active recreation, have significant water-related erosion, and/or are near impervious surfaces that create runoff.
It is recommended that with larger green infrastructure projects, an interpretive element is included. This element can depict the flow of stormwater through the city and the importance of filtering it before it enters the river.
The “Storm Drain Outfall” layer in the webmap shows outfalls that would benefit from green infrastructure
The stormwater wetlands at Cornell Lift Station are a good example of using stormwater to support unique vegetation while filtering urban runoff.
35
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Green Infrastructure MethodsGreen Infrastructure Methods
rain gardens capture and slow water
Unregulated
waterflow
Upslope
Streambank
stabilized soils
stabilized streambank
Berm and swales capture waterflow,
and infiltrate water into soil
Former grade
Dust
Berm made from soil dug for swale
Culvert or other outflow Native rock preferred
Applying mulch decompacts and aerates soil
Roots uptake water from soil, decreasing saturation
Unsaturated soils take in runoff
Armoring (riprap, concrete, limestone,
granite block gabions, or erosion mats)
near outflows will slow waterflow and
stabilize soils
Understory plants filter out pollutants,
stabilize soils, increase water
uptake, and reduce dust dispersion
— reducing sediment deposits in
creekbed
1
1
2
2
3
3
Integrating rain gardens, swales, & berms
A rain garden is a depression where water can pond after rain and soak in gradually. Swales are linear rain gardens, sometimes with water flowing through them. Berms are earthen mounds that reduce downslope travel of water and allow for infiltration. Swales and Berms are often used together to create an effective chain of rain gardens. Swales can be created
from existing erosion paths (unless the erosion is too severe) either by hardening the path and directing water to a depression, or by slowing and spreading water flow to allow it to soak in. Both rain gardens and swales work best over soils that absorb water quickly. They also require plants that can withstand repeated wet-dry cycles.
Com m o n M u s k r a t
Ondatra zi b e t h i c u s
36
Arde a h e r o d i a s
Com m o n M u s k r a t
Great Bl u e H e r o n
Red-win g e d B l a c k bird
Ondatra zi b e t h i c u s
Agelaius p h o e n i c e u s
The Emerald Ribbon serves as a refuge and a riparian corridor for wildlife in Salt Lake City’s developed westside. The study area is home to over 255 bird species and more than 150 species of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. By addressing degradation issues, changing land management practices, and restoring natural areas per the recommendations in this report, the wildlife habitat within the study area will increase substantially in size with an associated increase in food and shelter. Continued enhancement of the natural areas and creation of more resilient native plant communities, with an emphasis on
plants that provide wildlife food or habitat, will encourage a greater amount and diversity of wildlife to inhabit the study area.
Management and restoration efforts will play a direct role in the enhancement of wildlife habitat. Aquatic plants will provide valuable food and cover for invertebrates, fish, and other wildlife. Riparian trees will increase shade to help regulate temperature on hot summer days and provide important refuge for fish. Large woodland patches will provide more cover and food, improving habitat for numerous animals.
Wildlife & Habitat Features
Images from https://tracyaviary.org/nature-center/about-pia-okwai/wildlife-of-the-jordan-river/
37
RECOMMENDED PLANT COMMUNITIES
Recommended Plant Communities were derived from the Existing Plant Communities described in the Existing Conditions Report, along with an evaluation of topography, soils, infrastructure constraints, proximity to water, management responses, restoration potential, and user needs. Recommended Plant Communities reflect a combination of what was historically present on the site, what is ecologically appropriate given current conditions, and what can enhance the user experience. The pie charts below and map on the following page show what has been mapped in the “Recommended Plant Communities” layer in the web map. This shows the opportunity for 37% of SLC Lands to be converted to Natural Land. At least 30% of SLC Lands should be converted to Natural Land by 2035.
The three plant communities that make up “Natural Lands” are Wetland, Riparian, and Upland. Wetlands will be created using existing low lying topography or by modifying the land to be conducive to a natural wet system.
Riparian areas will be expanded and enhanced with a focus on healthy, native canopy and understory. Upland areas will replace existing underutilized space with a mix of drought friendly shrubland and meadows with intermittent trees. Formal Parks are also included, as they offer opportunities for ecological enhancement. Ecological management practices, such as canopy enhancement and incorporation of pollinator habitat, are also recommended for formal park areas, recognizing that land use needs and recreational activities will influence management in these spaces.
The following pages outline desired landscape characteristics, specific restoration considerations, and criteria to guide on-the-ground restoration for each Recommended Plant Community. Previous sections on mitigating erosion, reducing user impacts, invasive species management, improving soil health, establishing native plants, green stormwater infrastructure, and wildlife habitat features apply to all recommended plant communities.
RECOMMENDED PLANT COMMUNITIESEXISTING PLANT COMMUNITIES
Riparian(162 acres)
Upland(60 acres)
Wetland(60 acres)
Golf - 32%(245 acres)Golf - 39%(295 acres)
“Formal Parks” include Traditional Parks (like Jordan Park), Golf Courses and RAC. Overall, Formal Park decrease in size as portions are converted to Natural Lands.
“Underutilized” areas do not exist in the Recommended Plant Communities as they are converted to either Natural Lands or Formal Parks.
“RAC” increases slightly to account for new sports fields.
“Other” includes impervious surface and residential/industrial encroachments
Natural Lands breaks down into Wetland, Riparian, and Upland. It is recommended that at least 30% of SLC Lands are transitioned to Natural Land by 2035.
Underutilized - 12%(96 acres)
RAC - 13%(102 acres)
RAC - 11%(84 acres)
Natural Lands - 37%(282 acres)
Natural Lands - 16%(119 acres)
Traditional Parks - 17%(127 acres)Traditional Parks - 21%(158 acres)
Other - 1%(4 acres)Other - 1%(8 acres)
38
0 1 mi
DrainagesRoadsTrailsWaterWetlandRiparianUplandFormal Park & Other
Regional Regional Athletic Athletic ComplexComplex
Rose Park Rose Park Golf CourseGolf Course
Northwest Northwest Recreation Recreation CenterCenter
Jordan Jordan ParkPark
Glendale Glendale Golf CourseGolf Course
Riverside Riverside ParkPark
Increases in wetland and riparian area near 900 S River Park
Tying into existing irrigation to expand riparian area along the river at Riverside Park
Restoration area
Restoration area
RECOMMENDED PLANT COMMUNITIES
Explore this layer in the webmap! See more information on how to use it in the “Natural Area Transition” section
39
WETLAND
Wetlands are critical to capturing sediment and pollutants, reducing flood damage, and providing habitat for wildlife. Wetlands can also be great sources of recreation like fishing or wildlife viewing. Creating and maintaining wetlands can benefit the Jordan River and the
Existing wetland Recommended wetland
13 acres 60 acres
3.7x increase!RECOMMENDED PLANT COMMUNITIES
While the study area was historically full of wetlands, few wetlands currently exist within the Emerald Ribbon corridor. Methods for creating new wetlands will differ based on existing topography and can be grouped into three different types:
1. Existing wetland opportunity: These areas are lower benches or depressions on the water’s edge that may already be wet. Minor grading may be needed to allow greater water flow into the area, but these projects should remain relatively straightforward. Example: wetland bench at 900 South Riverpark, SLC
2. Grade change wetland: These are generally larger areas that require significant grading to reconnect them to the floodplain and create wetland habitats. Grading may involve levee removal and lowering the ground plane. These areas are intended to replicate historic floodplains or the natural meander of the channel. Example: Levee removal and channel creation at Centennial Park on the Portneuf River, ID.
3. Stormwater wetland: These areas are opportunities to capture and filter stormwater before it enters the Jordan River. Some are adjacent to SLC Public Utilities storm drains and some will take advantage of runoff from the adjacent landscapes and impervious cover. Example: Cornell Wetlands, SLC
The “Recommended Type 2” column in the Recommended Plant Communities layer sorts wetlands into these types
neighboring communities. Existing wetlands cover approximately 13 acres of the corridor, most of them occurring as a result of restoration. We suggest increasing wetlands to cover 60 total acres, which is an approximately 370% increase.
40
Mitigation erosion issues: Grading to create wetland areas can address erosion issues by reducing slopes, and creating greater landscape integrity.
Reducing user impacts: Wetlands are less suitable for camping and walking when they hold water. Fencing will be necessary in some areas to reduce informal use.
Manage invasive species: The most threatening species within wetlands is phragmites. See the invasive management section for more details on effectively removing this species.
Establish native plants: Refer to the “Wetland” column in the native plant list for appropriate species. Utilize existing restoration areas as “nursery” plants for additional restored areas. Utilize willow, cottonwood, and chokecherry stakes in areas where canopy trees are desired. Ensure planting is connected to the water table or stormwater input and sized appropriately.
Green stormwater infrastructure: All wetlands act as green stormwater infrastructure by helping to slow down water and increase infiltration. Utilize wetlands at stormwater outflows to increase filtration and improve water quality.
Wildlife & habitat: Shallow ponds and marshy areas attract amphibians, fish, and aquatic birds. Wetland vegetation provides important hiding spots and cool areas for fish and other invertebrates.
Relevant strategies for repairing degradation & ecological restoration
Restoration and creation of wetland areas should follow the guidance from the previous sections on repairing degradation and subsequent restoration. Specific guidelines for wetland areas are listed below.
RECOMMENDED CRITERIA FOR WETLAND RESTORATION
• Wetland restoration: 2 acres of wetland in year 1, 14 in year 3, 47 in year 10
• Biodiversity metric: 30 species per acre
Look for “Wetland” in the “Recommended Type” field in the Recommended Plant Communities layer
41
RIPARIAN
RECOMMENDED LANDSCAPE TYPE DESCRIPTION
Riparian areas along the Jordan River will feature a diverse mix of native trees, such as willows, box elder, and cottonwoods, which will provide essential shade and habitat for wildlife. The understory will be rich in shrubs, grasses, and forbs, supporting various bird and pollinator species and promoting soil stability. A healthy buffer zone of vegetation will filter runoff and prevent erosion, thereby enhancing water quality in the river. Additionally, these areas will include well-defined pathways, sight lines, and access points for visitors, allowing them to enjoy the scenic environment while minimizing disturbance to wildlife.
Existing riparian Recommended riparian
45 acres 162 acres
2.6x increase!
Riparian Motte Schematic
RECOMMENDED PLANT COMMUNITIES
Canopy (trees) = 20 Plants (10’ on center)
Understory (shrubs)= 40 plants (5’ on center)
Herbaceous (grasses &
sedges, forbs, vines) = 100 plants (2’ on center)
Seeding = entire area (1 lb / 1,000 sqft)
Plant understory & canopy in year 1
Plant herbaeous & seed in year 3
Some portions of the corridor already support a riparian canopy and understory. In those areas, restoration efforts will focus on supporting and enhancing the existing riparian components. This will typically be found in areas with substantial stands of willows, box elder, or cottonwoods. In areas dominated by non-native species like Siberian Elm or Russian Olive, or in locations where mowing extends to the river’s edge, native riparian vegetation will be reintroduced through the methods outlined in these guidelines. The same steps will be applied in areas being enhanced, with attention to preserving healthy riparian components.
Herbaceous: 120 plants (2’ o.c.)
Woodland Enhancement
Understory: 80 plants (5’ o.c.)
Canopy: 6 plants (10’ o.c.)
Seeding: entire area
Example area: 3000 sf)
Herbaceous: 120 plants (2’ o.c.)
Woodland Expansion
Understory: 80 plants (5’ o.c.)
Canopy: 20 plants (10’ o.c.)
Seeding: entire area
Example area: 3000 sf)
Bunch grass = 120
Understory = 24
Canopy = 20
update Riparian:
Bunch grass = 160
Understory = 50
Canopy = 24
Hillside:
Bunch grass = 160
Understory = 70
Canopy = 7
Example area = 3,000 sq ft; Intersperse at least 4 riparian mottes per acre
42
RECOMMENDED CRITERIA FOR RIPARIAN RESTORATION
• Riparian Restoration: 3 acres by year 1, 35 total acres by year 3, 116 total acres by year 10
• Riparian Canopy: Plant 20 trees per 3,000 sqft (80 trees per acre)
• Biodiversity: 5 tree species, 10 shrub species, 15 forb/grass/groundcover species per acre
Mitigate erosion issues: The majority of erosion issues within the corridor are in riparian areas. Riparian restoration actions will mitigate bank stabilization and capture excess runoff. Where feasible, this should include laying back steep slopes that have eroded over time due to degradation of natural processes. These slopes will be less susceptible to erosion, are more conducive to native plants and wildlife, and allow for more user interaction with the water’s edge.
Reduce user impacts: Fencing, signage, and dense planting will be especially important to implement in riparian restoration areas, as these areas are the most conducive to camping and shortcuts for river access.
Manage invasive species: The biggest issues in riparian areas are invasive trees including Russian olive and Siberian elm. Invasives must be properly removed before riparian restoration occurs, otherwise unwanted species may continue to outcompete native plants. See the invasive species management recommendations for best practices in phasing out these species while maintaining the ecosystem services offered by a dense canopy.
Establish native plants: Refer to the “Riparian” column in the native plant list for appropriate species. In order to save resources, riparian areas can be planted in groupings or “mottes”. The idea is that native plants will fill the spaces between the mottes over time. See Riparian Motte Schematic on previous page. Must have irrigation for first 3 years or be within 5’ of the river and less than 2’ feet higher than the water line.
Green stormwater infrastructure: Healthy riparian areas function as green stormwater infrastructure by filtering and slowing down water before it enters the river.
Wildlife & habitat: Riparian vegetation provides important shelter and food for wildlife. Where feasible, snags and fallen logs will be left in place to provide habitat for insects, fungi, owls, bats, and other wildlife.
Relevant strategies for repairing degradation & ecological restoration
Restoration and creation of riparian areas should follow the guidance from the previous sections on repairing degradation and subsequent restoration. Specific guidelines for riparian areas are listed below.
Look for “Riparian” in the “Recommended Type” field in the Recommended Plant Communities layer
43
Herbaceous: 120 plants (2’ o.c.)
Woodland Enhancement
Understory: 80 plants (5’ o.c.)
Canopy: 6 plants (10’ o.c.)
Seeding: entire area
Example area: 3000 sf)
Herbaceous: 120 plants (2’ o.c.)
Woodland Expansion
Understory: 80 plants (5’ o.c.)
Canopy: 20 plants (10’ o.c.)
Seeding: entire area
Example area: 3000 sf)
Bunch grass = 120
Understory = 24
Canopy = 20
update Riparian:
Bunch grass = 160
Understory = 50
Canopy = 24
Hillside:
Bunch grass = 160
Understory = 70
Canopy = 7
UPLAND
RECOMMENDED LANDSCAPE TYPE DESCRIPTION
The closest existing plant communities to “uplands” are managed natural areas, which in most cases are occasionally mowed grasslands. While there are currently 64 acres of these managed natural areas, some of this area is prioritized to transition to riparian or wetland areas when topography and adjacency to water allows. Areas that are prioritized to become upland plant communities are generally drier and further away from the river. The recommended upland acreage is 52 acres.
Existing healthy upland Recommended upland
<5 acres 60 acres
RECOMMENDED PLANT COMMUNITIES
The recommended upland community should utilize native plants that can persist in semi-arid conditions and provide habitat value to pollinators, birds, and other wildlife. Upland plant communities will consist of grasses, scrub-shrub and small trees, using canopy trees in areas where shade is necessary.
Upland Motte Schematic
11x increase!
Canopy (trees) = 6 Plants (at least 10’ on center)
Understory (shrubs, cactus &
succulents) = 80 plants (5’ on center)
Herbaceous (grasses & sedges,
forbs, groundcover, vines) = 120 plants (2’ on center)
Seeding = entire area (1 lb / 1,000 sqft)
Plant understory, canopy, & herbaceous in year 1
Seed in year 3
Example area = 3,000 sq ft; Intersperse at least 4 upland mottes per acre
44
Mitigate erosion issues: While erosion issues will be less likely in upland areas, care should be taken to understand where water flows and mitigate as necessary.
Reduce user impacts: The most likely user impacts will be desire paths between the Jordan River Trail and access to neighborhoods and roads. Formalizing some desire paths and clearly closing off others can help to reduce impacts.
Manage invasive species: Many of these areas currently suffer from infestations of invasive grasses and herbs like cheatgrass, whitetop, goathead, and thistle. Intensive removal efforts such as solarizing, or disking may be necessary before restoration.
Establishing native plants: Refer to the “Upland” column in the native plant list for appropriate species. Upland areas can be planted similar to the upland motte schematic on the previous page. This is similar to the riparian method but with a larger focus on shrublands. Trees should still be utilized but only in areas where they can be irrigated sufficiently and add to the user experience by creating shade and interest. Box elders and gamble oaks are recommended for these areas.
Green stormwater infrastructure: Implementing small swales or stormwater catchments along impervious surfaces may be necessary in areas where erosion could become problematic.
Wildlife & Habitat features: Upland areas should prioritize the use of pollinator and bird plants that will also appeal to visitors to the Emerald Ribbon. Many of the native species on the recommended plant lists are useful to multiple wildlife species.
Relevant strategies for repairing degradation & ecological restoration
Restoration and creation of upland areas should follow the guidance from the previous sections on repairing degradation and subsequent restoration. Specific guidelines for upland areas are listed below.
RECOMMENDED CRITERIA FOR UPLAND RESTORATION
• Upland Restoration: 3 acres of upland area in year 1, 17 in year 3, 55 in year 10
• Upland canopy: Where upland restoration intersects trail, plant canopy trees every 25-35’ on both sides of trail within 8’ of trail
• Biodiversity metric: 3 tree species, 10 shrub species, 15 forb/grass/groundcover species per acre
Look for “Upland” in the “Recommended Type” field in the Recommended Plant Communities layer
45
FORMAL PARKS
RECOMMENDED LANDSCAPE TYPE DESCRIPTION
Formal Parks include traditional parks such as Jordan Park, as well as golf courses and the RAC. Formal Parks serve as important spaces for people to gather and engage in both active and passive recreation. Typically, these parks feature turf areas, sports courts and fields, playgrounds, dog parks, and community gardens. In some cases, such as Three Creeks, native plantings have been integrated into the design and experience of the park. Public Lands staff have the expertise and protocols in place to manage these areas within the corridor. The
Existing Formal Park Space Recommended Formal Park Space537 acres 474 acres
12% of Formal Parks transition to Natural LandsRECOMMENDED PLANT COMMUNITIES
Native Formal plantings at Three Creeks are a great example of using
appropriate plants in a park setting within the corridor.
Action Plan aims to transition 12% of these spaces into natural areas over the next 10 years, restoring them to wetland, upland, and riparian vegetation.
As improvements are made in formal parks, there are opportunities to incorporate more native plants, increase native canopy cover, and implement green infrastructure. These enhancements will result from new capital improvement projects that will be SITES-certified, ensuring sustainable landscapes that emphasize native plants and efficient water use. Over time, these same improvements can be extended to other parks within the corridor.
Importantly, the districts managing these areas will be responsible for creating boundaries between natural and formal areas. This can be accomplished through the use of hardscape, mow lines, and interpretive elements, ensuring that as people move through the corridor, they understand that all areas are cared for—some with a focus on nature, and others with an emphasis on active recreation or traditional landscapes.
The additional staffing and resources recommended by the Action Plan, current practices, along with new capital improvements, will enhance the formal parks along the corridor and make them even stronger components of community identity.
46
NATIVE PLANTS:
As much as possible, formal park areas within the Emerald Ribbon should be planted with native plants (using plants from the native plants list in this document). The focus can be on aesthetics, ecological themes, and/or wildlife. Examples can include:
• Native milkweed-dominated beds for monarch butterflies• Plants that attract migrating birds• Hummingbird attracting plants• Plants beneficial for native bees• Plants beneficial for native butterflies
GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE:
Green infrastructure will reduce the impacts of impervious cover in formal parks to the river and surrounding natural areas. Additionally, increased water retention in the landscape will create opportunities for a more diverse range of native plantings.
RECOMMENDED CRITERIA FOR INTEGRATING NATIVE PLANTS INTO FORMAL AREAS
• Shade: Where formal parks intersect trail, plant canopy trees every 25-35’ on both sides of trail within 8’ of trail
• Canopy: Plant 250 canopy trees per year
• Biodiversity: For SITES projects - 3 tree species, 5 shrub species, 10 forb/grass/groundcover species per acre
See the “canopy” layer in the webmap to assess areas that are in need of additional canopy
Look for “Formal” in the “Recommended Type” field in the Recommended Plant Communities layer
CANOPY ENHANCEMENT:
Canopy enhancement adds shade trees in formal park areas where trees will not interfere with park use and improve the user experience. Canopy enhancement is recommended where additional tree cover will provide shade, improve water quality, and reduce the impacts of impervious cover on localized heating. It is recommended that 250 canopy trees are planted per year for the next 10 years in formal park spaces within the corridor to provide shade for people using the trail and recreating (this does not include natural area plantings). Canopy enhancement should use live native plantings whenever feasible with irrigation during establishment. Refer to trees in the native plant list for appropriate planting material. Where possible, trees should be planted at the same time as green stormwater infrastructure is installed, because the additional water in the soil will create healthier trees. By adding more shade trees, the Emerald Ribbon will increase in comfort, contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and create a more naturalistic park aesthetic.
47
3. Toward
Implementation
48
Partnerships & Agreements
Activating the Corridor
Rethinking Management Areas
Nature Transition
Documenting, Monitoring &
Community Science
Metrics
P50
P52
P53
P54
P56
P59
49
PARTNERSHIPS & AGREEMENTS
SLC Lands can’t accomplish goals on their own and will need to collaborate closely with other entities to meet ecological goals for the Emerald Ribbon corridor. Potential partners will depend on location, type of project, available resources, etc. The following are potential partners that have been identified:
FOREST, FIRE, & STATE LANDS
Work together on wetland restoration and invasive removal
• Boundaries: river channel up to high water mark• Potential for cost & staff sharing. Likely can match funds.• Gain understanding of items SLC needs to arrange, items SLC can do without coordination• Create agreement* and timeline in which agreement needs to be revisited
UTAH DIVISION OF WATER
RIGHTS
Understand how we can use water upstream and how adjusting flows (with Salt Lake County Flood Control) will effect downstream water flows
• Boundaries: water volume• Water rights adjustments
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS
Coordinate beneficial levee upgrades
• Boundaries: areas protected by to levee and other flood control structures• Potential for federal funding
UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY,
HOGLE ZOO, TRACY AVIARY, JORDAN RIVER COMMISSION
Test restoration methods within Jordan River corridor
• Boundaries: coordinate needs with SLC Public Lands• Test plots for Soils, Seeding, Plant selection, Habitat enhancement, Wildlife surveys, Invasive management
SALT LAKE COUNTY
Work together on river channel restoration
• Boundaries: the river channel and a 20’ buffer along the banks• Potential for cost & staff sharing• Gain understanding of items SLC needs to arrange, items SLC can do without coordination• Create agreement* and timeline in which agreement needs to be revisited
Understand control of flood gate. Need to adjust flood gate operation for success of restoration.
• Find contact person• Define ideal flood gate operations
INTERAGENCY PARTNERSHIPS
*See example agreement between FFSL & Utah County in Appendix 150
SALT LAKE CITY PUBLIC UTILITIES
Work together to improve water quality that flows into and through the Jordan River
• Projects with shared goals• Easy to get SLCPU funding• Outfall stormwater wetland projects
PRIVATE LAND OWNERS
Work with residential landowners to enhance riparian corridor
• Boundaries: residents within 150’ of the river• Create landscape and care guidelines specific to property’s location along the river.
Work with industrial/commercial landowners to enhance riparian corridor
• Boundaries: landowners within 150’ of the river• Create landscape and care incentives
• Consider aquisition of underutilized parcels
NON-PROFITS
Expand and organize work with non-profits to enhance riparian corridor
• Boundaries: entire study area, dependent on non-profit model• Coordinate on restoration projects, plantings, clean ups, pop-ups, funding
• Have database of non-profit ready projects for completion
• Non-profits should include but are not limited to: Tree Utah, Seven Canyons Trust, Friends of Fisher Mansion
SALT LAKE CITY FORESTRY
Define size, location and types of trees that should be taken care of by maintenance staff and which should be taken care of by forestry
INTERDEPARTMENTAL PARTNERSHIPS
OTHER
There are an additional 4 acres of wetland, 24 acres of riparian, and 2 acres of upland natural area potential within the study area outside of SLC Lands boundaries. These areas can be restored by coordinating with partners or considering acquisition. These areas can be found by selecting “No” in the “Within SLC” column in the “Recommended Plant Communities” in the webmap. Another helpful column in this layer is “Potential Partner” which identifies potential partners based on the location and type of restoration.
51
ACTIVATING THE CORRIDOR
The Emerald River Action Plan aspires to make the corridor a community connector for west side residents while increasing the ecological health of the river and facilitating human-nature interactions. To manifest these goals, care and management of the river must not only occur by the Public Lands personnel managing the landscapes, but also through city programming and citizen organizations. The pieces of a strategy exist today, and their efficient and effective use over time can meet the goals of the Action Plan. Daily activation of portions of the corridor that catalyze further engagement and address perceived and real safety concerns will increase use frequency and catalyze greater use. To this end, we encourage increased land management staff on the corridor daily, with the ideal being a district that is specific to the corridor, along with increased ranger presence. These efforts should be complemented by police presence in any area
where crime has been documented as a known issue, such as the corridor’s intersection with North Temple.
Non-profit organizations will play key roles in this effort. As described in Goal #3 of the Action Plan to develop a long-term care model for the corridor, the development of a “Friends of” or conservancy focused on the implementation of the Emerald River Action Plan will result in additional personnel and volunteers focused on stewardship and public engagement throughout the corridor while supporting other organizations and community groups within the corridor to care for and activate portions of the corridor.
These activation efforts play a key role in ensuring work towards ecological restoration supports increased biodiversity, the creation of complete plant communities, and quality wildlife habitat throughout the corridor.
The Fisher Mansion Beer Garden activates the corridor every fall during Get to the River Fest.
52
Meeting the goals of the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan requires resource investment and a long-term transformation in management practices. Through the Operations and Management Analysis conducted as a part of this project, we found a high level of care and pride within Districts 1, 4, 5, 6, and RAC, as well as the Golf division, who currently maintain the corridor. Additionally, it was found that there are numerous groups taking action within the corridor with varying focuses and priorities. To streamline work toward the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan, we recommend considering three actions:
Future Status (example*): Natural area, formal parks, RAC, and Golf
Golf(245 acres)
Natural Area(282 acres)
Traditional Parks (127 acres)
Other (4 acres)
RAC(102 acres)
Existing Districts: Districts 1, 4, 5, and 6, as well as RAC & Golf
Golf(330 acres)District 1(72 acres)District 4(82 acres)
District 5(55 acres)
District 6(109 acres)
RAC(124 acres)
RETHINKING MANAGEMENT AREAS
The results of these efforts will lead to more effective use of resources to meet the goals of the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan, greater satisfaction among Public Lands staff, and the creation of more effective human and land management hierarchies. The pie charts below show the acreage taken up by existing districts in the corridor compared to how the corridor could look if at least 30% of the area is composed of Natural Areas.
1. Providing further training for staff that focuses on natural area management, the use of native plants, and sustainable landscapes
One precedent to consider is Denver Parks and Recreation (See “Precedent Management Systems” in Chapter 1) which has offered college level courses on natural area management to their staff.
2. Expanding the team that manages natural areas to meet the recommended increase in natural lands
Based on FY23 data (page 6-7) the equivalent of 2.2 FTEs were working in the corridor across 164 acres. That is 1 FTE per 74.5 acres. To keep up with the increase in natural lands to at least 30%, SLC Public Lands should consider having at least 1 FTE per 20 acres dedicated to natural lands within the corridor.
3. Evaluating the consolidation of Districts working in the corridor or the creation of corridor-specific districts that care for this unique landscape within the Public Lands portfolio
SLC Public Lands is currently considering a city-wide restructuring of Districts.
53
Shape ID: Unique number for each shape. Can be used to track progress.
Existing Type: Existing plant community type. Use this field to gather baseline understanding of existing conditions and appropriate methods for restoration.
Recommended Type: One of 3 recommended plant community types (wetland, riparian, upland). Multiple shapes can be combined to create one project. Refer to the Natural Area Management chapter for detailed restoration methods.
Recommended Type 2: If a qualifier for a recommended plant community is relevant, it is listed here. i.e. “stormwater wetland”.
Priority: This column contains high and medium priority project labels. High priority projects were defined in the Action Plan. Medium priority projects were discussed with Public Lands staff but did not make it into the Action Plan.
Converted to Natural Land: 1 = Formal, formal native landscaping, impervious cover, industrial, or residental to be converted to wetland, riparian, or upland.
Restored Natural Land: 1 = Managed natural land or underutilized land to be converted to wetland, riparian, or upland.
Manage Natural Land: 1 = Wetland, riparian or upland is both existing and recommended type.
Within SLC Lands: “Yes” if land is within current SLC District boundaries. “No” if land is outside of SLC District boundaries.
District Number: If within SLC Lands, District number is in this column.
Potential Partner: If an ideal partner for this project is known, it will be listed. See “Partnerships & Agreements” section for more information on coordinating.
Completion Date: This field should be used by staff to track completion of projects.
NATURE TRANSITION
A major component of the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan, driven by community input, is transitioning underutilized areas into natural lands through ecological restoration. This transition, which will occur over several years, will be guided by adaptive management that allows Public Lands staff to adjust resources to address issues on-the-ground, align projects with capacity, and take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
The Nature Transition timeline on the following page shows acreages to be restored over the next 10 years. The plan involves restoring 219 acres, including 48 acres of wetland, 55 acres of upland, and 116 acres of riparian vegetation. Along with the 63 acres of existing functioning natural lands, this will bring the total to 282 acres of natural lands (including wetland, riparian, and upland) within the Emerald Ribbon study area, which comprises 37% of SLC’s land within the corridor. Given this information it is recommended that a goal of at least 30% natural lands within SLC lands is met by Year 10.
The Nature Transition timeline is framed by milestones at year 1, 3, and 10+. In the first year, the focus will be on building internal capacity through hiring, training, and initiating successful projects that build staff effectiveness. By year three, the priority areas will be completed, and staff will be well-equipped with experience along the Jordan River. By year ten, the full 282 acres will be healthy natural lands, meeting key goals of the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan, with a trained staff ready to manage and improve the corridor for decades to come. Using a range of $8,000 to $12,000 per acre (as defined in the Action Plan), maintaining 282 acres of natural land will cost between $2.26M and $3.38M annually.
Within this acreage, 22.5 acres have been prioritized in the Action Plan for $2M of bond funding allocation due to their high restoration potential, potential for success, and/or impact on the user experience. These projects will kickstart the 30% nature transition.
See the “Recommended Plant Communities” layer in the webmap
The “Recommended Plant Communities” layer is a powerful planning tool that shows existing versus recommended conditions. This layer should be used in order to select and prioritize work over the next 10 years. See below for details on contents.
54
Year 1
Focus on small scope pilot projects to refine methods and build staff capacity. Year 1 should include the restoration projects prioritized in the Action Plan*.
$95,000 per acre used as rough estimate for restoration that is managed by SLC Public Lands staff (not part of a Capital Project)
Complete this many acres of restoration projects by end of milestone year.
Acreage breakdown by Recommended Plant Community Type
Based on minimum need of 1 FTE per 20 acres dedicated to the natural lands in the corridor.
Larger and more complex projects benefit from the insights gained during Year 1. By year 3, a majority of the restoration projects prioritized in the Action Plan* should be complete.
SLC Public Lands has acquired the staff capacity and skills to efficiently and effectively restore and manage the corridor. Restoring 219 acres of natural area will realize the goal of more than 30% natural area in the corridor.
Wetland
Wetland
Wetland
Upland
Upland
Upland
Riparian
Riparian
Riparian
total est. cost
FTEs dedicated to natural areas in corridor8 acres
2 acres
18 total acres
48 total acres
3 acres
20 total
55 total acres
3 acres
38 total acres
Completed by Year 1
Completed by Year 3
116 total acres
$.76M 4
PILOT PROJECTS
Year 3 total est. cost
76 acres $7.22M 7
Year 10+restored natural area
restored natural area
restored natural area
total est. cost
219 acres 14$20.81M
RETURN TO NATURE
FTEs dedicated to natural areas in corridor
FTEs dedicated to natural areas in corridor
*A subset of the restored natural area acreages here account for implementation of Phase 1 projects outlined in the Action Plan. Those projects will kickstart the 30% nature transition. Refer to the Action Plan for more details.
(Please note that estimates per milestone are additive - Year 10 estimates show the total)
NATURE TRANSITION TIMELINE
55
DOCUMENTING, MONITORING & COMMUNITY SCIENCE
It is critical that all land management efforts are documented to gauge success, facilitate an adaptive management approach, and track change. This is best achieved when data is recorded as it is performed or shortly after. Ongoing documentation can facilitate coordination by ensuring all entities working in the area are aware of what has been done, what was effective, what remains to be done, and how best to allocate resources.
Monitoring of the study area is recommended through geographic, photographic, and narrative descriptions that include annual photo points, early detection monitoring, land management documentation and evaluation, and biodiversity observations. Records from this monitoring should be standardized and readily available. Over time these collective documents can drive future management practices and educate professionals and volunteers working in the study area.
To ensure fidelity of monitoring information, documentation should take place at the time of monitoring. It is recommended that all monitoring documentation be done through smartphone or tablet devices using a field data application such as Fulcrum or ArcGIS FieldMaps. Advantages of using such a program include immediate incorporation of the information into a database, reduced data
errors, location tracking, association of photos and voice recordings with specific locations, and customizable datasheets that can meet the needs of the Emerald Ribbon and Salt Lake City.
Photo points
Photo points are a relatively quick and easy way to perform qualitative monitoring. It is recommended that photopoints are established at least every quarter mile along the Jordan River trail and within adjacent park spaces. Photopoints can be located in areas that have been problematic, areas that have been recently restored, as well as passive areas. GPS points should be taken at each location so that they can easily be found and the photos/descriptions can be recorded annually. Taking photos and logging notes once a year at each of these points and comparing photos over time will provide a sense of how areas are changing and guide future management decisions.
Tracking biodiversity
Citizen science is a vital way to track biodiversity information, with numerous individuals in the Salt Lake City area actively recording biodiversity data through eBird, iNaturalist, and other online services. Individuals input data, which goes through a validation process that allows final users to understand the quality of the data.
56
Early detection monitoring
Early detection monitoring is not designed to assess the effectiveness of management actions but rather to detect new threats at an early stage so that they can be addressed quickly. This is considered a best management practice. It is not tied to a specific photo point or vegetation plot, but requires a staff member, professional, or trained volunteer to periodically walk the entire study area and observe new invasive threats, expanding invasive plant issues, areas being overused and denuded, new informal trails, and new erosion issues. Once new threats are identified, staff or volunteers can quickly take action and prevent a small problem from becoming a larger one that requires more time and resources to control in the future. To be effective, early detection monitoring requires a staff member, professional, or volunteer who is:
• Adept at identifying invasive plants, even obscure ones;
• Very familiar with the natural areas of the Emerald Ribbon and can accurately determine if change is occurring; and
• Willing to walk the grounds a minimum of twice per year, looking for new threats.
Land management task documentation
Salt Lake City Public Lands and numerous other organizations have been actively managing and improving the natural areas around the Emerald Ribbon through plantings, trash clean up, and invasive species control. However, piecing together a narrative of their efforts currently relies heavily on the institutional memory of key individuals. To facilitate ongoing record, it is recommended that once land management tasks are complete, field reports are recorded immediately. Additionally, once management has taken place in an area, the area should be placed on a list of areas to photograph annually along with the existing photo points.
EARLY DETECTION field data should be recorded electronically with the following variables:
• Date• Recorder
• Type of threat (species name, new invasive species, expanding invasive species, new or expanding erosion, new or expanding trampling, new or expanding informal trail, new or expanding stormwater flow)
• Location (including latitude and longitude, along with general identifiers)
• Size of issue (for invasive species should include patch size, percent cover, and if appropriate number of plants)
• Narrative description of the problem and potential cause
LAND MANAGEMENT TASKS should be recorded electronically with the following variables:
• Date• Recorder• General activity
• Area treated
• Location of area
• Size of area
• How it was treated
• Resources used (including labor)
• Photo documentation
57
Tasks JA
N
FE
B
MA
R
AP
R
MA
Y
JU
N
JU
L
AU
G
SE
P
OC
T
NO
V
DE
C
Notes
Invasive management
Timline of invasive management will vary by species, throughout the growing season. When removing invasives in natural areas, be sure to allow native plants to fill in between plantings (know what you are removing!).
Mulching
Make sure mulch is 4-6” inches thick, especially in early growing season, so it will repress invasives. Remove mulch from base of plants to prevent root rot. Replace/add mulch as needed while there is no snow on the ground.
Replanting
Monitor for mortality. Spring and fall planting will provide ideal (wetter) conditions for replanting areas that have experienced mortality. If replanting is not desired, add 4-6” of mulch.
Irrigation
Ensure irrigation system is working properly. This will be most important at the beginning of the growing season. If areas are recieving too much or too little water, fix accordingly. Irrigation should run during the entire establishment period (2-3 years/growing seasons).
Trail maintenance
Evaluate trail conditions including informal trails, trampling, and other off trail use. Utilize fencing, brushing and other methods to close down undesirable activity. Pay special attention during the busiest seasons and in areas with the most traffic/use.
Erosion/ Pooling
If erosion occurs mitigate as soon as possible. If pooling of water is occurring in planted areas that last for more than 48 hours without additional rain, adjust grade to allow water to drain. Consider incorporating green stormwater infrastructure into problem areas. Monitor after large rain/runoff events.
Soil Health
Test soil health annually at beginning of growing season and amend as necessary until soil results come back satisfactory.
Tree Pruning
Prune once in winter or early spring when trees are dormant. Consult with SLC arborist to ensure proper pruning methods are followed.
Evaluation by Arborist
Schedule an annual evaluation by SLC arborist in mid summer when trees are at their fullest. Also schedule an arborist to assess issues like signs of disease or damage as needed, preferably earlier in the growing season.
Best time
Acceptable time
Not recommended
NATURAL AREA MONITORING & MANAGEMENT
The chart below shows an annual schedule for monitoring and management tasks related to natural areas - including Wetland, Riparian, and Upland plant communities. While elements should be monitored frequently (as described to the right), the dark green indicates the “best time” and light green is “acceptable time” for associated management actions. Use the icons next to each task to find detailed management guidelines in the Natural Areas Management chapter.
• Newly Restored Natural Areas should be monitored weekly for the first month after installation and then biweekly during growing season for 2 years unless otherwise noted below in bold. Three years after a restoration area has been constructed, reevaluate the success of the project and adapt as needed.
• Established Natural Areas are successful restoration projects that are at least 3 years old OR existing, healthy natural areas. All tasks should be monitored once a month during growing season unless otherwise noted below in bold.
ANNUAL MONITORING & MANAGEMENT SCHEDULE
58
The process of restoration and long-term care of the Emerald Ribbon’s natural areas will have successes and failures in the coming years, with an overall trend toward enhancing these natural areas. By following the recommendations presented in this document and employing an adaptive management approach, Salt Lake City will see measurable changes. To evaluate these changes, we recommend the metrics below as measures of success. For our purposes, a metric can be measured easily and indicates progress is being made toward the goals stated in the Action Plan.
METRICS
Increase naturally managed areas by 66 ACRES
in 3 YEARS Work wtih SLCo and FFSL to create 2 POOL AND
RIFFLE NATURAL STREAM CHANNEL systems in
the Jordan River within 3 YEARS. Decrease invasives in Glendale
Regional Park to LESS THAN 2%
OF LANDCOVER
Plant 3,000 RIPARIAN TREES on the corridor
in 5 YEARS
AN ADDITIONAL 2 FULL TIME RANGERS
dedicated to the corridor within 2 YEARS
8 ADDITIONAL FTES managing natural
areas in the corridor within 3 YEARS
15% increase in
recorded community
science wildlife
species observations:
within 4 years
BIODIVERSITY
Create 15 ACRES OF WETLAND
habitat in the next 3 YEARS
Incorporate ecologically functional riverbank
in 15 PROJECTS in the next 5 YEARS
LAND RESTORATION RIVER RESTORATION
STAFF RESOURCES275 BIRDS
15 MAMMALS
10 REPTILES
5 AMPHIBIANS
These metrics suggest a path toward success and provide a quick articulation of some of the overall reasons for the land management practices laid out in these guidelines. They also provide a motivation for people to become more familiar with and committed to the study area. For instance, the metrics associated with increased species numbers will motivate restoration and habitat enhancement efforts, while at the same time motivating observations and record keeping. The objectives catalyze involvement and resource allocation while allowing for measurable, tangible outcomes.
59
APPENDIX 1
1
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
BETWEEN THE STATE OF UTAH DIVISION OF FORESTRY, FIRE, AND STATE LANDS
AND UTAH COUNTY This Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) is made and entered into this ____ day of ________,
2016, (the “Effective Date”) by and among the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands
(“FFSL”) and Utah County, regarding access to State Sovereign Lands for invasive species mitigation work. Each is individually referred to as a PARTY and collectively as the PARTIES.
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the State of Utah owns the bed of Utah Lake through the equal footing doctrine; and WHEREAS, the bed of Utah Lake, below settled boundary lines, is considered sovereign land as that
term is defined in Utah Code § 65A-1-1; and
WHEREAS, FFSL is the management authority for sovereign land pursuant to Utah Code § 65-A-1-4; and
WHEREAS, Utah County does invasive species mitigation work on land adjacent to sovereign land; and
WHEREAS, FFSL feels that it is beneficial for invasive species mitigation work to be performed on sovereign and adjacent land to prevent the spreading of invasive species.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and commitments set forth herein, the PARTIES agree as follows:
A. FFSL AGREES TO: 1. Allow Utah County, upon notification to and approval from FFSL, access to State Sovereign Lands for the purpose of invasive species mitigation.
B. Utah County AGREES TO: 1. Notify FFSL before undertaking a project to perform invasive species mitigation work on State
60
2
Sovereign Lands.
2. Provide information, in the form requested by FFSL and immediately after work has been completed, on the work performed including the number of acres treated, the treatment date and
method, and target species treated.
C. THE PARTIES MUTUALLY AGREE: 1. The Recitals above are incorporated herein.
2. This MOU will remain active. At any time, this MOU may be modified or renewed by mutual
agreement of the parties.
3. This MOU may be terminated by either party for any reason after 90 days written notice. 4. This MOU will become effective the date of the last signature of a party to this MOU. 5. Each party agree to accept liability for the party’s own respective employees, agents, assigns, etc,.
DIVISION OF FORESTRY, FIRE UTAH COUNTY
AND STATE LANDS BY: ______________________________ BY: ______________________________ Brian L. Cottam, Director Larry Ellertson, Chairman Utah County Board of Commissioners
DATE: ____________________________ DATE: ____________________________
APPROVED: APPROVED AS TO FORM JEFFREY R. BUHMAN Utah County Attorney BY: ______________________________ BY: ______________________________
Fredric J. Donaldson Deputy County Attorney Assistant Attorney General
61
This page has intentionally been left blank