Feature

Introducing ‘Blueprint Jordan River: A Lake to Lake Vision’

What was once an oft polluted, under-appreciated channel of water flowing 50 miles from the fresh waters of Utah Lake to the salty shores of the Great Salt Lake, the Jordan River has in recent years come to be thought of as an urban oasis. The river parkway now offers a variety of recreational activities such as the International Peace Gardens, jogging and equestrian trails, fishing, canoeing, a water slide, a model airplane park, golf courses and other attractions, but the best is yet to come.

Last spring approximately 1,300 interested residents from three counties and 15 communities brainstormed their ideal future for the Jordan River corridor. They considered its potential for natural wildlife areas, trails, kayaking, shopping, beautiful work sites and much more. Their ideas have since been captured by Envision Utah in a visionary document and maps that depict what could be possible along the Jordan River. This new vision will be made public on Sept. 10 in an open house at the Cultural Celebration Center, 1355 West 3100 South, West Valley City, and on Sept. 11 at open houses in two locations: Lehi Legacy Center, 123 North Center Street, Lehi and at the Gale Center, 10300 Beckstead Lane, South Jordan. All three open houses will run from 6 -7:30 p.m. Those not able to attend an open house can evaluate the vision map and recommendations online at www.blueprint.slco.org  starting September 10.

Gabriel Epperson, planning director for Envision Utah, says the open houses provide an opportunity for Utahns to add their input about the Jordan River and the three-county effort dubbed “Blueprint Jordan River: A Lake to Lake Vision.”

The Jordan River faces significant challenges but has enormous potential to be restored and revitalized as a community, recreational, economic and ecological amenity. While the main goal of Blueprint Jordan River is to restore the river’s banks, stop erosion, prevent pollution and restore the wildlife habitat, Epperson says the 50-mile stretch from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake offers complimentary recreational opportunities that could make it a premier recreational destination.

“For instance,” he says, “a visitor to the state could ride TRAXX from the Airport to the Salt Lake County Fairgrounds and from there choose to kayak, hike, bike or jog for 50 miles in an unobstructed, attractive, natural parkway.”

The Blueprint Jordan River vision includes a continuation of the river trail from lake to lake, completion of the multi-use trail that parallels the river, removal of any trail or river hazards and efforts to prevent pollution from storm water runoff. If the vision is achieved, the Jordan River could become the central amenity in the region, an area that draws residents and visitors to accessible outdoor recreation, natural beauty, wildlife and interesting places to work, shop and live.

A common misperception about the Jordan River is that sewage is the main contaminant, but that’s not so. Epperson says most of the pollution comes from storm water and development, which erodes the river bank and washes too much sediment into the water. The cloudy water is a result of the sediment and algae blooms generated by an overload of nutrients, like fertilizers from gardens, lawns and agricultural areas.

The vision calls for preserving the most natural open space as possible, encouraging low-impact development strategies for new development, and revitalizing existing commercial or industrial areas near the river to include commercial venues, restaurants, recreational rental facilities and access to the river. Such areas include the Salt Lake County Fairgrounds, the area along the river near 33rd South, and Thanksgiving Point. The plan would make the river accessible to a larger number of visitors without affecting undeveloped areas.

Although Blueprint Jordan River involves three counties, Salt Lake County is the main sponsor and Envision Utah is the consultant. Lorna Vogt, Salt Lake County’s open space program manager, says the county provided most of the seed money to fund Blueprint Jordan River. Approximately $300,000 has been raised, most of which is being used to gather citizen input and compile realistic yet visionary solutions that cities and counties could implement throughout the river corridor. The vision document also will help build a public constituency for the river that is essential for ensuring the vision comes to life. Monies required to implement the vision will be pieced together from city, county, state and federal funds.

Vogt says implementation will occur incrementally, as the interested parties come together to address any inconsistencies and to ensure that all the efforts affecting the Jordan River mesh. The jurisdictions along the Jordan River that make policies and investments affecting it have the most to gain from a river that achieves its full potential. As the vision develops, citizens are invited to learn how they can contribute and make it a reality. For additional information regarding Blueprint Jordan River, please contact Gabriel Epperson at Envision Utah (801) 303-1453 or Lorna Vogt at Salt Lake County (801) 468-3571.