by James Kirk

Salt Lake City gained 1.3 miles of pristine new trail on September 24th when a ribbon cutting ceremony opened Phase 3 of the Parley’s Trail. The new segment of trail connects Tanner Park with the pedestrian overpasses near the mouth of Parley’s Canyon. It trends along the extreme north end of Parley’s Gulch.

The Parley’s trail is a vision of a continuous 8-mile trail connecting the Jordan River Parkway with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, a project that is expected to span 2 decades and cost an estimated 20 million dollars. Parleys Rails, Trails and Tunnels Coalition—or PRATT is the grouping leading the effort. The estimated completion date is 2017. The trail is expected to go through 6 parks and utilize the railway corridor running through Sugar House roughly paralleling 2100 South. Next, emphasis is being placed on two areas: a tunnel will be built under 1300 E. from the west side of Sugar House Park, and an overpass is planned from 900 W. to 300 W. that is wide enough to accommodate a bike path.

Juan Arce-Larreta, the chairman of PRATT, led the opening ceremonies. He spoke of the vision of the trail they had years ago and how unlikely it all seemed back then. The vision came to fruition when Salt Lake County Mayor Corroon cut a ribbon of bicycle inner tubes, pronounced the trail open, and then took a ride down the bike path.

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Dog Park Discussion

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker has determined that the best use of Parley’s Creek and Parley’s Gulch will no longer be a dog park. The dog park acreage will be reduced from 88 to just 10 acres, non of which will be along Parley’s Creek. This decision has upset many dog advocates especially the group FIDOS, which has organized park clean up efforts since the former gulch was made a dog park in the early nineties. FIDOS along with most members of the City Council say they oppose this decision and will fight to maintain the area as Salt Lake’s largest dog park. §