Expanding the popular Jordan River trail in Utah, Salt Lake, and Davis counties will enhance the recreational opportunities of residents throughout the Salt Lake Valley. In so doing, the county and municipalities should strive to create a user-friendly trail, preserve open space, and protect the environment, especially sensitive areas and those of ecological importance. In addition to a wonderful recreational destination, the trail can provide a connection with nature, including a sense of awe and an appreciation of natural beauty as well as a place where the public can see natural processes.
The development of the Jordan Parkway Trail has been a consolidated effort of many entities, in particular, the municipalities and counties through which the river flows. Some have been able to complete trail development within their jurisdictions – others have not. This report recommends is merely a compilation of information regarding the trail sections needing completion with some recommendations on how to proceed. The stakeholders will need to carry out the trail completion.
This summary discussion is based on the public input received during the trail prioritization open houses and via the Internet. It is not comprehensive – not every comment is included – but the comments have been categorized and information specific to trail sections is included in the description of those sections. The complete electronic file of public comments is available upon request.
ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES
In designing the trail, consideration should be given to environmentally sensitive areas and resources, particularly wetlands, the riparian zone, the Jordan River (including the banks and floodplain) steep slopes, viewsheds, mature native trees, and lands that provide unique habitats for wildlife. There has been some discussion as to whether or not the trail should be allowed on both sides of the river. There are multiple trails in some areas already. Each new trail section should be carefully evaluated, including discussion among stakeholders, to determine appropriate trail routing, design and construction in compliance with all laws and regulations. In addition, we recommend following these guidelines:
1. Wetlands
• Avoid wetlands:
• Align trail around them.
• Create natural buffers between wetlands and the trail.
• If the trail must go through wetlands, then use a bridge or boardwalk.
• If wetlands are affected, mitigation may be required by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
See “A GUIDE TO STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT PERMITTING ALONG THE JORDAN RIVER CORRIDOR” http://www.governor.utah.gov/planning/jrnaf.htm
2. Riparian Zone
• Create a buffer between the trail and the river where possible. Consider that the river may meander and change position and that flooding is likely to occur at some future point. The buffer will protect the trail infrastructure as well as the natural river processes and vegetation.
• Allow views of the river, but discourage off-trail travel through natural buffers such as vegetative screens (eg, willow, rose). Buffers should be characterized as adequate or sufficient and functional to mitigate the impacts of the trail to wildlife, views, vegetative communities, etc.
• Unnecessary bridges should not be encouraged or permitted.
• Post signs to encourage people to appreciate and respect the trail and nature.
• Provide areas where people can have some access to the river or views, but the majority of the trail length should be moved away from the river:
• Consider opportunities (e.g., kiosks) to educate the public about natural processes, hazards, wildlife, and benefits of the environment.
• These should be designed to avoid damage to the riparian zone, avoid cut banks, avoid the need to rip-rap, etc.
3. Jordan River , Banks and Floodplain
• Create a buffer between the river and trail. If possible, place the trail away from the river.
• Strive to create a diversity of experiences. Basically, this means that the trail does not need to be the same 10 feet from the river for the entire length of the river. Let the trail meander away from the river, perhaps around a wetland, around a parcel of open space, through a woodland (responsibly), or up on a ridgeline.
• Avoid the need to rip-rap the banks of the river.
• Protect natural vegetation.
• Let the river meander.
• When the Jordan floods, have alternative routes or have means of closing the trail. 4. Viewsheds
• Take advantage of views that allow people to see the Wasatch, the Oquirrhs or other natural areas. This might mean a rise in the trail, a ridgeline, or even protection of a parcel as open space so that a large building (or complex) is not built.
• Coordinate with adjacent landowners in development.
• It is acceptable for the trail to diverge in some areas from the narrow confines of the river corridor. 5. Steep Slopes
• Steep slopes along the river's edge should be avoided, because of erosion and for public safety.
• If trail must go through or over slopes, allow drainage and passage of water. 6. Mature Trees (Native Species) and Natural Areas
• Where stands of native trees (e.g., cottonwoods, willows) exist, align the trail around or design so that minimum number of trees are cut or damaged.
• Areas protected or set aside as open space or as wildlife habitat are not automatically trail material. Some parcels have conservation easements or other deed restrictions which might prohibit trails, buildings and other facilities.
• It is also important to recognize and respect the use of the land, and to coordinate with the landowner. 7. Additional Considerations
• Whenever natural areas and/or habitat will be impacted, mitigation should be included.
• Lighting: Recommend not lighting the trail to avoid light disturbance to wildlife. It may be acceptable to light trailhead and parking areas, but have lights on low poles, directed down rather than up or laterally, and use minimum amount needed.
• Trash: Encourage people not to litter and place receptacles at trailheads, not along the trail. This will make it easier to collect, and will be a lesser enticement for raccoons, skunks, and such from residing near the river. Many people may like raccoons and skunks, however, they can create health concerns, can be a nuisance, and are predators on birds, bird nests, and other wildlife.
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) projects need to be coordinated with agencies other groups interested in the river, especially with regard to vegetation removal and lighting.
• Establish and Maintain Natural Landscapes as part of trail design, funding and construction, including invasive weed control:
• Adopt ways to keep weeds from spreading.
• Adopt weed control methods.
• Assure wetlands remain viable, especially when they were established for mitigation.
• Plant native vegetation.
• Dogs:
• Keep dogs on-leash; do not allow them to run free for the safety of people, pets, wildlife and the river.
• Encourage people to pick up after their pets.
See Utah Noxious Weed List , http://ag.utah.gov/plantind/nox_utah.html RIGHTS-OF-WAY & DEVELOPMENT
There is not a public right-of-way for a trail along the entire river – only where it has been acquired. There are regulatory controls over development, including trail development, within the river corridor. Controls include:
• County Flood Control – Twenty-five feet along the banks.
• State of Utah Parks and Recreation – One-hundred and fifty feet from the banks of the river (or as far as the flood-plain)
• State of Utah Sovereign Lands – The riverbed
• State of Utah Water Rights – Stream modifications
• State of Utah Department of Transportation – Where roads exist or are developed
• Local government zoning – All areas
• US Army Corps of Engineers – Wetlands and riparian areas
Although these controls exist, residential and commercial development occurs within the flood plain – there is no absolute prohibition. The trail group received comments regarding this issue, but considers them outside the scope of this report except as follows:
- Any new road or bridge construction projects should include underpasses to provide for the trail.
- When new residential and commercial development is proposed, developers should provide rights-of-way for the trail.
- New development should always follow the environmental guidelines above.
COST & FUNDING
Except as noted in the part of this report that describes the specific trail sections to be completed, cost estimates for completion of the trail are not available. However, some information from trails that have recently been done is helpful. For example:
Paved 10' wide pedestrian/bicycle trail $25/linear foot
Graded 6' wide equestrian trail $ 8/linear foot
Trailhead (no restroom) $100,00 - 200,000
Restroom facility $85,000 - 170,000
Bridge across river 10' wide $140,000 – 180,000
The crossing underneath 6400 South (photos below) was completed last year at a cost of over $500,000.
 
One mile = 5288 feet. Construction and paving cost @ $132,200
Construction for one mile @ $42,300
Funding recommendations are outside the scope of this report. It is hoped that this report will provide information to assist with funding efforts – both for the trail and other needs of the Jordan River corridor. VOLUNTEERS
There are many opportunities for volunteers to help with projects, especially river and trail clean-up.
MAINTENANCE
Trails need to be maintained. In unpaved areas, there are a lot of puncture weeds and tree roots that make biking/blading difficult. Also, overgrown shrubbery near Oxbow Jail becomes a safety issue.
The suggestion was made to remove exotic plants and maintain the natives.
Thought needs to be given to clearing the river of hazards for canoeing.
SAFETY
We received public comment concerning personal safety and crime along the trail. Also, there was public comment concerning horses on the paved trail presenting health and safety issues.
There is a concern among respondents about redundant and unnecessary access. One respondent suggested that “vandalism, polluting, dumping, and other illegal activities are bound to escalate if we create too much access.” However, residents in Murray had the same concerns before the trail was made, yet the exact opposite happened. Since the trail was completed problems have diminished in the area.
A report commissioned in 2002 found:
In summary, the Jordan River Parkway Trail is an amenity to the majority of Salt Lake City residents who live along its border. The perception among residents is that the trail has increased the value of their homes and it has not compromised their safety. Trail public safety is an important issue to residents and police. In general, the trail is not dangerous and the crimes committed on the trail are by illegitimate trail users. The police believe that these problems can be solved through CPTED [crime prevention through environmental design] and a bicycle patrol. Realtors have found that selling homes along the Jordan River Parkway is easier because of the trail, or that the trail does not affect the selling of homes. The Jordan River Parkway Trail is perceived as a wonderful open space and valuable asset to this community.
“The Jordan River Parkway Trail: Property Values and Public Safety” Sponsored by Salt Lake City Corporation, The Foundation for the Provo-Jordan River Parkway, and Helen M. Peters, Chair of the Sugar House Community Council |
