Open Space Trust Fund
Projects
Ferguson Canyon trail head - $328,000
Cottonwood Heights City and Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation cooperated with the Open Space program to create a two-tier trail head and park project at about 7700 S Wasatch Blvd. The upper trail head will provide off-street parking to access the Bonneville Shoreline Trail at Ferguson Canyon. The lower trail head will include parking, restrooms, educational kiosks, and trail connectors to the upper trail head. Cottonwood Heights will develop the amenities over the coming years.
Willow Canyon - $1.6 million
In August 2008, the County purchased a conservation easement on the 10-acre Willow Canyon parcel and the 38-acre Hidden Valley Park property. The combined 48-acre property is located at the border of Sandy and Draper Cities and site on the Bonneville Shoreline bench. The two parcels include Little Willow Creek, extensive trails linking to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, expansive views of the entire SL Valley, and abundant native habitat. Sandy City partnered with the County by purchasing the Willow Canyon parcel. The two agencies will cooperatively manage and develop the area for passive recreation and open space.
Rose Canyon Ranch - $8.7 million
At 1,681 acres, Rose Canyon is the largest purchase to date, and becomes a significant open land reserve in the southwest corner of the county west of Herriman. Rose Canyon is adjacent to the County's Yellow Fork Park and 1,600 acres of BLM land. The County and BLM will enter into a cooperative agreement to manage the entire 4,000 acre area for wildlife, non-motorized recreation, and watershed.
The ranch was acquired thanks to the foresight of its owners, the Wray and Kunkler family heirs. Their thoughtful stewardship and will to keep the ranch undeveloped created a legacy for the County.
Rose Canyon can be accessed through Yellow Fork Park at 8094 West Rose Canyon Rd (15000 S). The Yellow Fork Park road is not paved.
Photos: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7
H Rock: Foothill Natural Area - $615,500
The H Rock project was a collaboration between Utah Open Lands, Salt Lake City Open Space Fund, LeRay McAllister Critical Lands Conservation Fund, the Highland High Foundation, and East Bench Community Council to preserve 12 acres below the Bonneville Shoreline Trail above 2100 South. The property is well-used and easily accessed by residents who enjoy the spectacular views and gentle trails. Portions of the land were destined for development which would have removed the largest section of open land below the trail in the County. Salt Lake County holds the conservation easement on the H Rock property.
North Salt Lake Open Space - $1.75 million
In 2006, the County Council voted to approve $1.75 for a conservation easement on 56 acres of land at the border of Salt Lake and Davis Counties. The land is high benchs and foothills, and is criss-crossed with biking and hiking trails. This preserve provides a buffer between the cities of North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City as well as trails, wildlife habitat, and spectacular views of the valley. The project is a partnership between Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, and North Salt Lake.
Perkins Flat - $485,000
Salt Lake County contributed to the preservation of 190 acres known as Perkins Flat in Emigration Canyon, east of Salt Lake City. The land sale and corresponding conservation easement is held by Utah Open Lands. Valued near $2.4 million, the grassy hillside three miles up Emigration was sold by MSICo for $1.4 million to Utah Open Lands, which raised the funds from private donors and public agencies.
The land just east of Ruth's Diner, once targeted for housing and commercial development, features a 28-acre meadow bisected by Emigration Creek. It also is considered the historic campground of a Mormon pioneer scout group led by Orson Pratt and Erastus Snow in 1847.
Utah Open Lands article about the campaign to save Perkins Flat.
Photos: courtesy ©Tom Till 1 / 2
Corner Canyon Conservation Easement - $500,000
The Corner Canyon Property encompasses approximately 1,000 acres of largely undisturbed open space. The property runs from the southeastern edge of the developed area of the city up into Corner Canyon, ranging from below 5,800 feet to over 6,300 feet in elevation. This area also serves as important habitat for deer and elk and other wildlife.
This property provides the backdrop for historical Draper City and much of Draper identity is derived from what is seen towards and from the Corner Canyon area. Draper City passed a $7 million bond to make the Corner Canyon purchase possible. The Trust for Public Land raised funds from Salt Lake County to finalize the purchase.
Trust for Public Land article about the campaign to save Corner Canyon.
