Jordan river parkway

Michael K. Johnson

*

The Jordan River

Parkway runs along

Jordan River from

Utah County to the

Great Salt Lake

* In 1971 the Parkway was conceived primarily as a flood-

control measure, but restoration of the floodplain,

cleanup of pollution, adding trails and other recreational

opportunities were also to be included.

* In 1973 the Provo-Jordan Parkway Authority was created,

received money and was charged with constructing the

parkway.

* It moved slowly through the 1970’s, primarily buying land

and cleaning up the water.

*By 1986, $18 million had been spent on the parkway,

mostly from state funds.

*By 2000, two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Superfund sites were underway to being cleaned up.

Completed:

Salt Lake City section: Riverside park, Cottonwood Park, Utah State Fairgrounds, Gatsbys Trailhead, 9th

South Park

Midvale and West Jordan section: 7100 Trailhead, Gardner Village Trail-head, Midvale Trail-head

Sandy and South Jordan section: 9800 South Trailhead, Shield Lane Trail-head, Jordan River Migratory Bird Reserve (not open to public)

Draper, Riverton and Bluffdale section: Riverton City Nature Park, South County Pool, Riverbend Nature Area

Unfinished:

Draper,Riverton & Bluffdale have the longest unfinished sections

Utah County is developing several different parks

Following are pictures

from some of the sections

found in the West Valley

City section.

Signs are available at the different trailheads to access the Parkway

These pictures show the MultiCultural Center

built by the Parkway in West Valley City

The water runs through the grounds.

Many Cultural Events are held here.

Water was diverted just above the Oxbow area

to become part of the landscape of the Center.

2013 – Bridge erected

Crossing the bridge, finished in 2013, leads to

the Jordan Parkway trails.

Here we can walk along the river.

Cottonwood trees, tamarisks, Russian Olive trees

Ducks, song birds, muskrats, and other wildlife

can be found along the river.

An old pioneer granary of West Valley City was

moved to beside the trail.

The Oxbow Jail is by the Parkway, but not used

as a jail now, but the grounds used to train

police dogs.

A little nature next to urbanization utilities.

Trails are used by equestrians

skateboarders, bicyclers,

joggers, walkers,

and others just enjoying the nature.

Just off of recently build town homes

A large, community garden run by refuge groups

is found.

The Trail wanders around the gardens to the east

and then north to the South Salt Lake region.

The Parkway is little known natural resource in the middle of the Wasatch Front. It should be protected and expanded.

This wonderful trail is a way to connect to the natural world around us and get relief from some of the stresses of living in a large urban area.