The future of the Salt Lake Valley's creeks is here!
Authored by Jess Lofland
The final Seven Greenways Vision Plan is completed! Take a look at the accomplishment at sevengreenwaysvisionplan.org.
Rediscovery and exploration lie before our residents, visitors, and partners along the Wasatch Front. The Seven Greenways Vision Plan will set in motion a community-supported framework. The Salt Lake Valley is facing an exciting future—a connected system of greenways that celebrate our waterways. We believe this resonates with virtually every person who lives, works, or visits our beautiful Valley. As Salt Lake County’s population grows an additional 600,000 people by 2065, this vision is increasingly critical to the protection and enhancement of our creeks. Revitalizing the greenways protects critical riparian habitat, preserves green and open spaces, and provides recreational and community benefits to this growing population.
The Seven Greenways Vision Plan represents hope, expressing how a vision over generations is brought to reality. This century-long vision will only be achieved through collaboration and collective will from elected officials, stakeholders, and community members, alike. The plan focuses on the sections of creek flowing from each canyon’s mouth to their confluence with the Jordan River. It addresses our desire to mitigate climate change and environmental injustices (poor water and air quality, drought, and the urban heat island effect) and requires a collective response and articulated message of benefits. This includes the revitalization of streams, enhanced bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, catalyzed economic activity, increased climate resiliency, improved wildlife habitat, providing places for people to experience nature, and opportunities to learn about and enjoy water in our oasis on desert’s edge.
Thank you to our partners and funders who made the Seven Greenways Vision Plan possible. And, a special thank you to the many community members who participated in the planning process and contributed to the document. Now, join us for the next 100 years in making this vision a reality!
