Observing the Current Network

Observation of the Greenway Network in the Focus Area

To determine the effectiveness of the current greenway network in our area, we need more than geospatial research. This analysis seeks to provide a socially-constructed view of the parks and trails system by a combination of research and observation on the ground. This provides user experience based data.

Parks and Trails Visited

Opportunities

Many unique features were present in the park that directly relate to expanding the ecosystem services available through greenway systems.

Bird Habitat

Areas that had had open water and native plants provided bird habitat to the migratory bird population. Specific areas where this was observed include Decker Lake and the Jordan River Parkway.

Natural Areas

Some areas remained in a more natural state and deviated from the traditional of grass and trees. These provide increased biodiversity and havens for wildlife. Areas with naturalized areas include Redwood Nature Area and Lodestone Park.

Biodiversity

When an expanded plant pallet was used, this provides plants for pollinators, other wildlife, and also provides expanded services like heat reduction, water filtering, and carbon sequestration. Areas with good biodiversity include Hayes Conservation Garden.

Protect Natural Resources

The Jordan River Parkway not only provides recreation, but also presents the opportunity to monitor and protect natural waterways.

Other parks also had facilities to conserve, protect and control water.

Food Production

Several areas provide food directly to communities including the New Roots Redwood Farm and the Magna Community Garden. These types of gardens are more centered on local food production than traditional agriculture.

Transit Connection

When parks and trails are easily accessible by public transit, it allows for accessibility to underserved populations, and limits the impact of traditional transportation systems.

Unexpected Recreation

Some areas featured unique recreational opportunities. This included sports courts in a linear parkway, exercise equipment at trailheads, accessible game play areas, expansive destination play areas, and water play.

Conclusions

The opportunity exists to expand these services. For example, the majority of parks had a primary groundcover of traditional lawn, usually with a few trees. The amount of amenities varied, but often were limited to a few items. Expanding the diversity of amenities and planting types would expand the ecosystem services offered. For example, increased plant selection can include plants for pollinators, trees for climate control, and native plants for wildlife.

The greenway network can serve as a foundation of conservation and provide many more ecosystem services in an urban area, but doing so requires planning, continued maintenance, and taking advantage of the diversity of opportunities available.

Interconnection

The following areas are examples of how interconnection can happen in a greenway network. Areas outlined in dark blue were visited.

Redwood Area, West Jordan

In this area, I began at the trailhead located in the Redwood park, walked up through the Redwood Nature Area, followed the West Valley Crosstown Trail and ended in Decker Lake Park. A light rail line parallels a portion of this walk.

Jordan River Preserve, Taylorsville

The Little Confluence Trail connects with the power line corridor trail and Jordan River Parkway. It was a beautiful, well-used hike.

Mountain View Corridor Park Connections, Kearns

After a lot of fun at the expansive playground at Lodestone Park, we walked through the park and down to the Diamond Summit Trailhead via the Mountain View Corridor. I also stopped by the Hayes Conservation Garden, a small demonstration garden located along the power line corridor and serving as an interesting break along sidewalks on busy streets.

Linear Park to Canal Trail

This walk started at the Welcker Memorial Park. My son and husband stayed there to play basketball, and I continued down the park to the Utah/Salt Lake Canal Trail, and back through neighborhoods to the park. The Welcker Park was full of trees and quite nice, but the Canal trail was lacking in positive aesthetics.

Conclusions

Only a small fraction of parks were visited. There are only a handful of established and developed trails, and all were visited. For the Jordan River Parkway and Mountain View Corridors, a portion of these long corridors was visited.

The interconnection in this area has the capacity to grow in the area, especially with the expansion of trails that are more than sidewalk corridors.

Another desired improvement is improved wayfaring. Some of these areas did not have clear maps, signs, or readily accessible information. To improve the areas, they need easily accessible information to plan trips, and clear maps and signs on the ground to ensure easy navigation.

Detailed Analysis

An evaluation was completed on parks and trails visited in the area using the scoring tool NEST. NEST stands for the Natural Environment Scoring Tool and was developed as a way to assess natural environments that support a variety of uses. The tool uses eight domains for scoring: accessibility, recreation facilities, amenities, aesthetics-natural, aesthetics-non natural, significant natural features, incivilities, and usability. Provide in this summary are the overall score and usability score. These scores are out of 100. Higher scores indicate that the area is more suited for enhanced use by visitors, and serves as a point of comparison between places. For the detailed analysis done on these parks, see this spreadsheet.

Lodestone Regional Park

Services

Recreation, sports fields, playground, multi-use pathways
Connection to trail corridor
Water retention basins
Natural, undeveloped areas

NEST Score

Overall: 58

Usability: 70

Character

The primary feature of this park are its large, destination playground, and sports courts and fields. It is also connected to the Mountain View Corridor Trail. Part of the park is currently undeveloped, allowing space for native plantings. Due to its high use, some amenities were insufficient, such as a lack of seating.

Visitation

Very high, primarily for children's' play and sports
Some wildlife present

Mountain View Corridor & Diamond Summit Trailhead

Services

Recreation, multi-use pathway, exercise equipment
Wetlands
Natural areas with native plants
Long trail corridor

NEST Score

Overall: 52

Usability: 61

Character

Highlights: This trail extends for 17 miles. A small portion was visited, including a trailhead with fitness equipment. The paved trail had excellent views and was popular for biking and walking. Some invasive species were present, and the biodiversity could be improved.

Visitation

High, walking and biking
Some wildlife present

Hayes Conservation Garden

Services

Biodiverse planting
Pollination
Nature appreciation
Bioretention

NEST Score

Overall: 42

Usability: 58

Character

This is a small park along a busy road that features the demonstration of diverse plants. The garden was visited as a demonstration of improved aesthetics and biodiversity along urban corridors

Visitation

Redwood Park

Services

Recreation, sports fields
Connection to trails
Food production

NEST Score

Overall: 41

Usability: 42

Character

This parks is by the Redwood Recreation Center, and also includes a trailhead that connects to the Redwood Natura Area and other local trails. It is primarily used for sports, such as softball. In an adjoining space, there is the New Roots Redwood Farm. This is a small market farm specifically built for refugee workers.

Visitation

High, for sports activities

Redwood Nature Area

Services

Connected to streams and water system
Biodiverse
Habitat, open area for wildlife
Recreation, walking
Connection to transit

NEST Score

Overall: 43

Usability: 58

Character

The redwood nature preserve is a place for natural conservation within the urban city. There are trails that circle the area, but it is primarily open space for migratory birds and other animals. It connects to the Jordan River Parkway, and other trails, as well as a short walk from a light-rail station.

Visitation

Moderate, walking, biking
Birds and other wildlife present

Decker Lake

Services

Bird habitat
Recreation, fishing, walking, relaxing
Pond
Wetland
Connection to transit, urban area

NEST Score

Overall: 50

Usability: 67

Character

This lake provides a place for a substantial amount of birds. It is well-connected to the surrounding urban area and transit by the West Valley Crosstown Trail. There is opportunity for fishing, birding, and a trail circles the area. Some areas had visible trash present, and it lacked trees and amenities such as benches.

Visitation

High, fishing, bird watching, walking
High amount of birds

Jordan River Parkway & Little Confluence Trail

Services

River system
Erosion control
Flood plain
Recreation, walking, biking, horses
Long trail corridor
Diverse plants
Habitat
Education center, and signage

NEST Score

Overall: 53

Usability: 70

Character

The Jordan River Parkway extends for about 40 miles. The section visited included an adjoining trail, the Little Confluence Trail which easily forms a loop with the parkway. It is well-maintained and beautiful, with high tree cover and many opportunities to appreciate the natural river system.

Visitation

Very high, walking and biking
Diverse birds and wildlife present

Fairbourne Station Plaza

Services

Recreation, water feature
Connection to public transportation
Gathering place
Walking distance to variety of housing

NEST Score

Overall: 52
Usability: 61

Character

As an urban plaza, this park is connected to a light rail station and new mixed-use development. The primary features are a water feature for play, park benches and walking paths. Some public art was present, but generally there was a lack of diverse plantings or amenities.

Visitation

Low, but the park closed to all but walkers.

Welcker Memorial Park

Services

Recreation, walking, sports
Transit connection
Connection to trails
Biodiverse trees

NEST Score

Overall: 40

Usability: 39

Character

This linear park separates a busy road from the surrounding neighborhood. It run along a bus line, and also connects into the Utah/Salt Lake Canal Trail. Along the linear parkway are opportunities to relax in park benches or play sports like basketball.

Visitation

Moderate, walking

Utah/Salt Lake Canal Trail

Services

Water (primarily agricultural irrigation)
Recreation, walking, biking
Neighborhood access
Bird habitat

NEST Score

Overall: 30

Usability: 36

Character

The trail was well-connected to the surrounding neighborhoods, but was not well maintained. There was some evidence of graffiti, trash, and a lack of tree cover that made the walk unexciting. The canal itself was mostly dry. This trail could use aesthetic improvement. There were many birds present.

Visitation

Very low
Birds present

Grand Vista Park

Services

Recreation, children's play, sports, fitness equipment
Neighborhood connection
Water retention

NEST Score

Overall: 55

Usability: 48

Character

This was new park that had a fun playground, and featured some unique play features. It has open space, and walking connection between neighborhoods. Although the park did have good views the design failed to highlight them. It was on a busy road, and nothing was done to mitigate this.

Visitation

Low, primarily for children's play

Magna Copper Park

Services

Recreation: children's play, sports
Food production, community garden
Water retention

NEST Score

Overall: 57

Usability: 39

Character

The park had a fun playground and opportunities for diverse recreation. A community garden was also present. It could easily be improved with some walking paths and more biodiverse plantings.

Visitation

Moderate: children's play, sports, dog walkers

Expand and infill current greenways

The opportunity exists to increase the services in existing parks. Many parks are underutilized, and all systems could expand conservation, the amenities offered, and aesthetic quality.

Increase access

Having greenspace isn't enough if people are unaware of it and can't easily access it. Unless the space is primarily for conservation, online information and wayfaring should be a foundation of greenspaces networks. Greenspaces should be connected to transit, neighborhoods, and be reflective of community needs.

Consider maintenance

A poorly maintained greenspace is also usually an empty one. The cost of ongoing maintenance, repairs and improvements is essential to the long-term success of any space.

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