Salt Lake City officials have unveiled improvements aimed at making the foothills more accessible to outdoor enthusiasts. A new trailhead along Bonneville Boulevard in City Creek Canyon, situated on the northwest edge of the Avenues, was officially opened on Wednesday. The enhancements include a welcoming roadside plaza, ample paved parking stalls, restrooms, vibrant bike racks, informational kiosks, maps, and a thriving natural plant garden, along with key access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.
The investment of nearly $2 million in these upgrades is part of a broader initiative to expand recreational opportunities for residents and visitors. City officials revealed that this effort is just the beginning, with plans for three additional trailheads set to open later this summer at Popperton Park, Victory Road, and Emigration Canyon. New signage and amenities will also be installed at 25 minor trailheads, emphasizing the city’s commitment to enhancing outdoor experiences.
Mayor Erin Mendenhall emphasized the significance of these improvements during the opening event, stating, “It’s really pretty hard to beat a bike or a run or walk with this incredible view,” while expressing excitement about the breathtaking vistas at higher elevations.
The opening of the Bonneville trailhead is being seen as a pivotal step towards enhancing recreational spaces across over 6,000 natural acres stretching between Parleys Canyon and the Davis County line. This renewal and reimagining effort has been driven by public input over the years, as articulated by Kim Shelley, the director of the city’s Public Lands Department. She remarked, “Today marks the next step of bringing that vision to life.”
The summer will also see the launch of new trailhead facilities at Popperton Park (360 N. Popperton Park Way), Victory Road (670 Victory Road), and Emigration Canyon (2699 E. Sunnyside Ave.) as part of an ongoing strategy to make trail access more user-friendly. Additionally, nearly 25 smaller trailheads in the foothills will be equipped with welcome stations that feature essential amenities such as trail markers, trash cans, and dog waste bag dispensers. These additions aim to build community engagement and encourage a culture of care for the natural landscape.
Efforts to maintain and improve these areas will involve new teams of volunteers in collaboration with the city’s Public Lands Department, focusing on the upkeep of trails and natural spaces. Officials also announced plans for a new trailhead at 18th Avenue and Hilltop Road, which is expected to open within the next year.
The city’s vision for its foothills trail system, which was publicly vetted in 2020, guides further improvements in various areas, including East City Creek, the upper Avenues, Twin Peaks, and Dry Creek Canyon. Recently, the City Council allocated funding for preliminary planning and design phases focused on the East City Creek and Twin Peaks regions. Mayor Mendenhall highlighted that these initiatives go beyond recreation, stating, “It’s also about sustainability. It’s about connectivity and ensuring that people can safely and easily enjoy all of these trails, regardless of their experience level.”
The recent announcement marks a renewed commitment to expand recreational amenities that had been stalled since 2020 due to resident concerns raised in 2021. The city is now operating under a revised version of the 2020 foothills plan, which organizes the area into distinct geographic zones, each with unique needs, and lays out a more measured approach to future construction projects.
City officials are currently finalizing a co-management agreement involving key landowners in the foothills, including the city’s Public Utilities Department, the University of Utah, Utah State Parks, and the U.S. Forest Service. This collaboration is expected to significantly influence future planning for trails and amenities across this critical natural area.
Moreover, the latest improvements aim to address longstanding public concerns regarding trail maintenance and sustainability. Tyler Fonarow, the city’s director of trails and natural lands, noted that the addition of new recreational opportunities and access points will allow residents and visitors to take an active role in caring for these valuable natural spaces.
With enhanced facilities and a focus on stewardship, Fonarow stated, “We are accomplishing our citywide goals of strengthening our urban-nature interface, improving our community’s health, and increasing environmental stewardship.” The city has also initiated a foothills stewardship program that complements the efforts of new maintenance crews and restoration ecologists. “We’re not doing this alone,” asserted Mayor Mendenhall, highlighting the involvement of volunteers in planning, education, and maintaining these cherished spaces. The city’s focus on community collaboration reflects a growing commitment to preserving the natural beauty and accessibility of Salt Lake City’s foothills.
image source from：https://www.sltrib.com/news/2025/05/29/new-trailheads-opening-slcs/
