December 2022 Newsletter
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Public Lands is now hiring for the following positions.


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SLC Cemetery Receives Over 3,700 Holiday Wreaths
On Saturday, December 17th, over 3,700 holiday wreaths were laid on the graves of veterans at the Salt Lake City Cemetery as a part of Wreaths Across America Day.

To prepare for this event, Parks and Cemetery staff members cleared paths to the graves through the heavy snow.

Then, numerous volunteers took to the cemetery to lay the holiday wreaths.

A huge thank you to our crews and the community for their help with this event!
Seven Canyons Fountain Update
What’s new at the Seven Canyons Fountain in Liberty Park?

In 2019, Public Lands requested and received funding to rehabilitate the fountain. The scope included study, design, and construction of the selected improvements. In 2020 and 2021, Public Lands engaged a consultant to assess the feasibility of various options for the fountain and engaged in a period of public engagement to assess public priorities. Due to increased awareness of water use throughout the City, the options presented were to decommission the fountain or adapt the art as a dry fountain. Over 70% of respondents to a public survey prioritized redesigning the fountain to make it a dry feature within Liberty Park. However, after staff consideration and numerous comments expressing the desire for a water element, Public Lands also began investigating adapting the fountain as a low-flow feature.

The design team, consisting of representation from the City’s Engineering Division, Public Lands Department, Public Utilities, the original fountain artists, and the consulting firm ArcSitio, are exploring alternative designs for the fountain that reduce water use, maintain or appropriately adapt the original artwork, and consider maintenance and operations. The team is studying construction costs, intent of the original artwork, maintenance and operations costs, and water flow. Options are being considered for adapting the fountain as a dry or low-flow interactive art feature.

In early 2023, Public Lands will share the findings of the design team, as well as the public engagement conducted in 2021. Depending on the outcome, Public Lands may need to pursue a Budget Amendment to amend the scope of work for the project.

Public Lands is anticipating the study being completed in early 2023 and anticipates beginning design in Fall 2023 with construction to follow in Spring 2024.
Restoration in the Foothills Underway from Dry Creek Canyon to Red Butte Canyon
In December, Public Lands planted hydroseeding in the Dry Creek Canyon to Red Butte Canyon revegetation area as a part of restoration efforts in response to the Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) Wildfire Mitigation Project.

Informational signage has been installed in this area to inform users on the importance of staying on the trail and out of the revegetation area so that the newly planted hydroseeding can establish itself and take off.
Community Partner Rachel Taylor Gives TED Talk
A huge congratulations to our friend Rachel Taylor on the premiere of her TEDxSaltLakeCity talk, “Save the Monarchy! Monarch butterflies that is.”

We’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Rachel over the past few years to develop a monarch waystation at Fairmont Park.

Partnering with her has been a huge success and is a wonderful example of how community partnerships can enhance and diversify our public lands.

Be sure to check out Rachel’s talk at the link below!
Restoration Efforts Make Big Impact at Mary's Spring
Located in Parley’s Historic Nature Park, Mary’s Spring supports a variety of native plants and wildlife in the area.

Due to degradation from intense paw and foot traffic, a portion of the spring and surrounding areas were fenced off as a protection area in 2020 and restoration efforts in the area began in Spring 2021.

Our Natural Lands team addressed invasive weeds, planted new native plants, and manipulated the hydrology in the area to ensure proper watering.

As a result of these efforts, we’re beginning to see an increase in insects and bird life in the area.

While the new plants in this area continue to establish themselves, please help us by keeping yourself and dogs out of this area.
Jingle & Mingle Brings Park Rangers and Community Members Together at Pioneer Park
This December, Public Lands Jingle & Mingle event series brought over 160 community members to Pioneer Park to mingle with our Park Rangers and enjoy hot cocoa and holiday lights.

This event was a great way to introduce the rangers to park users and celebrate the holiday season.

We've received numerous positive comments and other feedback related to the holiday lights at Pioneer Park and are planning to continue adding lights to the trees at this park in the future.

The holiday lights will stay lit through the NBA All-Star Game in February.
Friends of Fairmont Park 2022 Highlights
The Friends of Fairmont Park group had a successful year in 2022. Learn more about the group's highlights below.