SALT LAKE CITY — Anyone planning to walk, run, cycle or otherwise use a stretch of the Jordan River Trail in Salt Lake City will have to take a detour for a while as the city works to improve the area.
SLC officials announced Monday night that the parkway/trail is now closed from Cottonwood Park to approximately 800 North. The length of the trail closure is about 0.6 miles and the detour is about one mile.
"I moved to the neighborhood with the trail in mind... I saw it as a hidden gem for Salt Lake City," said Andrew Murphy, who moved to the Fairpark neighborhood about 20 years ago. “With the current condition, the way that people are openly using drugs, it feels unsafe and unpredictable.”
The reason for the closure, the city said, is to improve public safety and improve some environmental aspects of the trail and surrounding area — "an effort to reclaim and revitalize public spaces and make them safer from illegal activity."
"In recent months, this area has seen an increase in environmental harm and criminal behavior, prompting growing concern from community members, neighbors, and trail users," a press release from the city read — also a topic on which FOX 13 News has reported in-depth in recent years.
Video below shows groups of people congregated on the trail as a cyclist navigates through
The closure is expected to last several months, although not specified further.
The city said they will:
- "Remove overgrown vegetation and debris
- "Restore damaged riverbanks and habitat
- "Install improved lighting and infrastructure
- "Relocate a section of the trail between 500 North and Backman Elementary to improve visibility and safety"
A detour takes users off the trail between 800 North and Chaz Court (approx. 400 North).
In all, the city says it hopes the changes they make during the closure will "address environmental degradation, infrastructure challenges, and persistent public safety concerns."
Local resident Andrew Murphy has been outspoken on the issue and says other neighbors have also reached out to local leaders to address the trail conditions.
Tyler Murdock with SLC Public Lands said this project is part of a larger initiative to improve the Jordan River Corridor.
"As of this week, the first project for those funds has begun," he said. "Immediately adjacent to Backman Elementary, contractors have started working on the creation of a new nature playground. A new public open space will be available for students and residents for nature education along the Jordan River."
