Improving and expanding access to parks, trails, libraries, and recreation centers

Salt Lake County’s parks, trails, libraries and recreational facilities are a significant component of the high quality of life we enjoy, as well as an important part of lowering our cost of living. Mayor Wilson has led an historic addition and expansion of the assets we depend on in Salt Lake County.

Building new regional parks and recreation centers

During Mayor Wilson’s term, Salt Lake County has:

• Built the 65-acre Bingham Creek Regional Park (seen above), located in South Jordan, converting the old Welby Pit.
• Opened the 28-acre Magna Regional Park, including a multipurpose field, walking paths, playground, and splash pad.
• Opened the 25-acre Pioneer Crossing Regional Park along the Jordan River in West Valley City.
• Partnered with the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation to renovate the softball complex at Gary C. Swensen Valley Regional Park in Taylorsville. 
• Opened the new Outdoor Education Center at Wheeler Farm.
• Completed improvements at Oquirrh Regional Park, Dimple Dell Regional Park, Riverview Park, Oak Hills Tennis Courts, and more.

Giving free rec passes for Salt Lake County kids

Salt Lake County’s My County Rec Pass program has offered free passes to the county’s recreation centers to every Salt Lake County child. The passes are saving Salt Lake families real money while helping parents move their kids away from screens and toward healthy physical activities.

Investing a record amount in preserving open space

During Mayor Wilson’s time in office, Salt Lake County has acquired and preserved more than 243 acres of parks, trails, and open space. Those acquired properties now house the Jordan River Regional Park, Butterfield Canyon Trails, the Bonneville Shoreline Trail in Millcreek Canyon, and more. 

Expanding and improving Salt Lake County’s trail system

Mayor Wilson has prioritized trail development and supported millions of dollars of additional investment in mountain and urban trails throughout Salt Lake County since her time in office.

• Improved the Mount Olympus Trailhead, one of the most popular in the county.
• Supported the completion of Parley’s Trail, creating the first east-west trail linking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail with the Jordan River Parkway. 
• Led a unique partnership between Rio Tinto Kennecott and the Bureau of Land Management to open 16 miles of multi-use trails in Butterfield and Yellow Fork Canyons.  
• Added seven new boat launches on the Jordan River Water Trail.
• Opened the 350-foot long White City Canal Trail and Bridge over Dimple Dell Regional Park.
• Brought Arts, Parks & Utah Skies art installations to the Taylorsville Recreation Center, Magna’s Pleasant Green Park, and Herriman’s Yellow Fork Canyon trailhead.

Building and upgrading libraries

Mayor Wilson supports libraries that are accessible to all. During her time in office, Salt Lake County has:

• Built a new 28,000 square-foot Daybreak Branch Library in South Jordan.
• Built a new 33,000 square-foot Granite Branch Library in South Salt Lake.
• Built a new 35,000 square-foot Kearns Branch Library.
• Upgraded six branch libraries and three community engagement locations, including new roofing, carpeting, signage, and furniture.

Eliminating kids’ late fees at county libraries

To help save families money and reduce the barriers between kids and reading, Salt Lake County eliminated late fees for kids at all county libraries.

Prioritizing recreational opportunities

Our rec centers offer low cost (and now free-for-kids) opportunities for county residents to have fun, exercise, and get away from their screens. That’s why the Wilson Administration:

• Opened a 60,000 square-foot rec center in Draper.
• Is expanding the South Jordan Fitness and Aquatic Center, with a $9 million lap lanes expansion, bleachers, and a timing system.

Upgrading senior centers and and expanding programming for county seniors

Supporting our seniors and making it easier for them to engage with others is important to Mayor Wilson. That’s why the Wilson Administration:

• Is remodeling and improving the Kearns and 10th East senior centers.
• Created a ‘virtual senior center’ during the pandemic to help county seniors stay engaged and socialize.
• Added an electric passenger van to its fleet of 13 hybrid vehicles to support seniors and reduce pollution.

Expanding and improving performing arts spaces

• After completing construction of the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center in Taylorsville and opening it as a hub for arts organizations across the region, the venue’s popularity led to an expansion that doubled rehearsal space and added storage. 
• Salt Lake County installed a new audio/visual system at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley City.