Jordan River Parkway

File:Jordan river parkway.jpg

Falls on about 4000 South

Ducks on The Jordan River Parkway

The Jordan River Parkway in Cottonwood Grove Park in Murray Utah

The Jordan River Parkway is a mixed-use trail. An effort is still underway by Salt Lake County and many other local communities to develop a continuous trail along the river from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake.

The Jordan River (Utah) flows northward from Utah Lake in Utah County through the center of Salt Lake County, and then into Davis County, Utah where it empties into the Great Salt Lake.

Substantial sections of the trail have been completed with help from a ZAP (Zoos, Arts & Parks) tax funding program. Remaining trail work will be completed as funds become available. Several miles of trail are paved.

Trail-heads, attractions and/or access points

Numerous amenities of public parks, nature/wildlife preserves, benches, grassy areas, picnic tables, pavilions, restrooms, playgrounds, parking lots, canoe marinas, off highway vehicle (OHV) area, model plane ports, and equestrian areas can be found along the trail.

Jordan River State Park

A part of the Utah State Park System it is operated by the State of Utah, it is open in the warmer weather months from April through November. Four tracks, with tabletops and banked turns; 2 motorcross tracks, and 2 for OHV's and all-terrain vehicle (ATVs.) State required off-highway vehicle education programs are available at this location. Also available is a model port, with A runway and open space for model radio-controlled airplanes. Except to walk or bicycle on the gravel path, a per person fee is required for the use of the park. A trail-head is proposed on the North end of the park where the gravel trail ends.

Salt Lake City section

Salt Lake City maintains 3 parks and some parts of the trails along the river.

• Paved trail begins at 1000 North
• Riverside Park - tennis courts, soccer fields, football, Little League Baseball, softball field, basketball half court, horseshoes, grass volleyball, bowerys, ADA restrooms and ADA playgrounds. Nearby is the Riverside branch of the Salt Lake City Public Library system.
• Cottonwood Park - 3 small shelters with table, medium bowery with small tables, gold mile walking path with quarter mile markers, playground, sand volleyball box, half court basketball, ADA restroom.
• Utah State Fairgrounds
• Gatsbys Trailhead
• 9th South Park
• Jordan Park - bowerys, tables, fireplaces, sand volleyball, tennis, horseshoes, baseball field, International Peace Garden, off-leash area, skate park, ADA playgrounds and ADA restrooms.
• Some unpaved sections between 1000-1700 South
• 17th South Canoe Marina

South Salt Lake and West Valley City section

Map of Mid-Salt Lake County section of the Jordan River Parkway

The City of South Salt Lake, Utah operates 1 park on the river

• Paul Workman Park - softball/soccer field, restrooms, and a bridge crossing with trails on both sides of the river.

Salt Lake County operates 4 parks and the trails in between them in the vincinity of West Valley City, Utah

• Redwood Trailhead Park - small park across the river from Paul Workman Park
• Redwood Nature Area - Regional park, with trail connecting to the Decker Lake trail.
• Utah Cultural Center -Building used for art shows, classes and other multi-cultural activities.
• Oxbow Park - Canoe and boat launch (no motorized allowed)
• George P. Holm Park - (a.k.a. Little Dell)

Murray - Taylorsville section

Murray City maintains 5 parks along the river. Most of the Murray section has an equestrian trail alongside the paved trail.

• Arrowhead Park
• Nature Center of Murray - it is the second largest designated wetland area on the Jordan River with a small amphitheater on the river bank.
• Germania Park - Equestrian trail start/end point
• Millrace Park - with off-leash area. Maintained by Taylorsville City
• Walden Park
• Cottonwood Grove / Winchester Park - Equestrian trail start/end point
• Willow Pond Park

Midvale and West Jordan section

Midvale City completed a portion of trail in 2001 connecting with West Jordan at 7800 South heading southeast to 700 West at approximately 8600 South.

• 7100 South Trail-head
• Gardner Village Trail-head
• Midvale Trail-head

Sandy and South Jordan section

• Unfinished section from 9400 South - 9800 South
• Proposed Dimple Dell Trail-head to connect to Dimple Dell Regional Park
• Shield Lane Trail-head - with equestrian area
• 9800 South Trail-head
• Gravel section from 9800 South - 10600 South

Draper, Riverton and Bluffdale section

• Longest unfinished sections
• Riverton City Nature Park
• South County Pool
• Riverbend Nature Area

Utah County section

Good portions are completed either paved or graveled. Utah County maintains 5 areas/parks as well as the 9 miles of trail between the northern county line and Utah Lake

• Indian Ford Park - Near the Salt Lake County line, and maintained by Utah County. Indian Ford Park has paved trails and is still under development. The name is from historical accounts that claim this narrow area in the Jordan served as a crossing point for local Native American tribes. During the dredging of the Jordan River in the 1980's, a large boulder was removed from this location and sits today at the entrance to Utah County's Inlet Park. When developed, Indian Ford will offer picnic tables and other amenities. For now, it serves as a crossing point on the river for the Jordan River Parkway.
• Thanksgiving Point - On the paved trail, Thanksgiving Point is an area near the river where a non-profit group operates; gardens, a golf course, museums, shopping, dining, other social and educational places and attractions.
• Wildlife Park - a large area south of 9600 North near Lehi, Utah. This parcel is maintained by Utah County. Accessible only by the Jordan River Parkway, the area is dedicated to wetlands use. An old trestle bridge spanning the Jordan River was constructed prior to World War I, this single lane bridge served the farmers and families who lived here and provided quick and necessary access to the grazing lands and canyons to the west. The old bridge was replaced some time ago by a modern structure, but this historic landmark remains. Main attractions of this site are nature viewing and mixed use trails.
• Willow Park - Over 50 acres in Lehi, Utah designed for individual, family, or group activities. This park is developed around a large group of aged Willow trees and wide open grassy areas that afford a vast number of options of recreation and relaxation activities. Group and individual camping sites that have fire rings, quick access to restrooms and potable water, as well as shelter from the sun. The open grass provides parking for Recreational vehicles, campers and large trailers as well as plenty of space for frisbee, softball, or similar activities. A canoe launch onto the Jordan River allows water enthusiasts quick access to the winding river. Amenities and attractions at this park include; camping, picnic tables, BBQ pits, canoing, fishing, group site, hiking, horseshoes, water, volleyball, restrooms, trails, playground, pavilion.
• Model Airplane Park - (a.k.a. Wetlands Park)Situated right along the banks of the Jordan River in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Runways have been paved and staging locations constructed. The surrounding is a flat, treeless landscape making it ideal for the radio controled airplane activity. Utah County is planning some future improvements that will include drinking water.
• Inlet Park - In Saratoga Springs, Utah, the park was first realized during the dredging work on the Jordan River during the 1980's. It takes its name from the simple fact that it is located at the "inlet" to the Jordan River and Utah Lake. This 4-plus acre site serves not only as a trail-head to the parkway, the open grassy expanses offer a lot of room for users who frequent the park. Inlet also provides quick access to both Utah Lake and the Jordan River for fishermen and other related uses. Future development of the park will offer a wider assortment of family oriented activities. Amenities and attractions at this park include; fishing, restrooms, trails, walking, pavilion, playground.

Gallery

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  The Jordan River Parkway wetlands nature preserve in Murray-Taylorsville area
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  The Jordan River Parkway is popular with bicyclers of all types
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  Dog Park on the Jordan River Parkway on 5400 South in Murray-Taylorsville area
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  The Freedom Shrine pays tribute to locals who served in the military

External links

• Salt Lake Completion Plan Map
• Utah County Map
• Restoration Projects
• State Parks Information