Latest news with #ErinMendenhall
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
With water use up amid heat, SLC officials urge residents to be mindful of drought and conserve
The Provo River Delta is pictured on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Salt Lake City officials warned this week that water use is up this time of year compared to the past several years, and they're urging residents to be mindful of their consumption amid heat and drought. As Utah has seen an unusually warm spring this year — with temperatures in the Salt Lake valley reaching the 90s some days — the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities issued a news release Thursday warning that water use is up both overall and outdoors. The department reported water demand in recent weeks has been 'trending upward compared to the average water demand over the last three years during the same time period.' Great Salt Lake is again on the decline, and summer likely won't help it 'We must protect our natural resources and support efforts for the Great Salt Lake,' Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall urged in a prepared statement. Laura Briefer, director of the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, said as of Thursday, total water use had increased by 5% in the department's service areas, with outdoor water use up 10%. 'Though snowpack in our area was average this year and our reservoirs are full right now, overall runoff is lower than expected, and much of the state is projecting drought conditions,' Briefer said. 'It is important that our community members continue to focus on water conservation given these factors and the potential for drought conditions to worsen.' In addition to providing water to Utah's capital of Salt Lake City — which is home to more than 217,000 people — the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities also services portions of suburban cities of Millcreek, Holladay, Cottonwood Heights, Murray, Midvale and South Salt Lake. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 95.5% of Utah was experiencing abnormally dry conditions as of Thursday, with 76.2% in moderate drought and 44.6% in severe drought. About 3.2% — an area concentrated in Washington County in the southwestern corner of the state — was in extreme drought. Utah creeps deeper into drought as long-term forecasts point to a hot summer This time last year, only 23.9% of the state was classified as abnormally dry, according to the drought monitor. Plus, hotter than usual temperatures are expected to persist through the summer. According to the three month seasonal outlook from the National Weather Service, Utah is forecasted to have above average temperatures through August. As for rainfall, the service says it's unclear whether there will be above or below average precipitation this summer. According to its models, there's an equal chance of both in the majority of the state. Salt Lake City officials urged both homeowners and businesses to conserve water. They noted that the city offers a variety of programs meant to reduce water use indoors and outdoors, including landscaping rebates, low-water grass seed, irrigation controllers and water-wise toilets. Here are some of the water conservation programs and resources Salt Lake City officials highlighted: Salt Lake City's Turf Trade site, where customers can order low-water grass seeds. Utah State University's Water Check program, which provides customized pressurized sprinkler schedules for select areas. Salt Lake City's Rain Barrel program, which sells rain barrels to Salt Lake City Public Utilities customers. Utah Water Savers' Slow the Flow incentives programs for water-smart landscaping, toilet replacement, and smart sprinkler controller installation. Central Utah Water Conservancy District's commercial landscape, controller and toilet replacement rebates program. Salt Lake City's website that informs how to properly care for and water trees and other ways to conserve water. The Utah Department of Natural Resource's weekly lawn watering guide. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City to open 4 new foothills trailheads 4 years after plan hit a snag
A handful of bikers, runners and hikers breezed past Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall on a warm, sunny spring morning as she described the importance of the foothills surrounding the city. 'It's pretty hard to beat a bike or a run or a walk with this incredible view,' she said, standing from a spot overlooking downtown from the mouth of City Creek Canyon. 'When you get up, it's even better.' Moments later, she and other city officials took a short hike up a nearby trail to celebrate the opening of the Bonneville Boulevard Trailhead at 650 N. Bonneville Boulevard. The new trailhead, which links some of the newer trails in the area, features parking spaces and six bike racks, each with the city's sego lily logo and mural designs from artists selected by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, as well as new trail signs and a dog-waste-bag dispenser station. It's the first of four new 'major' trailheads on track to open over the next few weeks across the city's foothills network. Others will be located at: Popperton Park, 360 N. Popperton Park Way Victory Road, 670 Victory Road Emigration Canyon, 2699 E. Sunnyside Avenue Some will include similar bike racks, toilets, picnic areas and other amenities. A fifth trailhead — a revamped 18th Avenue Trailhead — will be completed after Salt Lake City Public Utilities finishes an infrastructure project in the area next year. Twenty-five smaller trailheads, mostly with smaller signs and dog-waste stations, will also be added throughout the network, along with over 100 new wayfinding signs. 'While great trails are obviously at the center of a great trail system, thoughtfully designed trailheads help make the trail experience even better,' said Tyler Fonarow, director of trails and natural lands for the Salt Lake City Park and Public Lands Department. 'Our new trailheads ... represent our investment and commitment to ensuring new and returning trailway users alike feel welcome, safe and prepared to have a world-class outdoors experience without leaving the city.' Wednesday's ceremony marked one of the largest updates to the city's foothills plan since the project hit a snag nearly four years ago. After almost four years of planning, Salt Lake City leaders adopted a new foothills master plan in March 2020 to improve the recreational mountain trail system in the 6,000 acres of foothills within city limits. It was approved a week before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns were instituted, leading to record visitation at city trails, parks and other outdoor spaces. However, some of the project's first trail builds didn't go as planned. Residents and outdoor recreation enthusiasts reported slide-offs and other trail issues from the project's first phase, prompting the city to pause the plan in September 2021 and review what went wrong. The city had erred with 'inefficient' planning, which resulted in 'poor construction quality' and other issues on some of the trails, an independent consulting firm concluded in a final report. The report also found a lack of education on trails that had become decommissioned for repairs and revegetation. A one-year break in developing the plan ultimately became a much longer delay, as the Salt Lake City Public Lands completely rewrote the master plan, focusing on land management over trails. The new version, which department officials unveiled toward the end of last summer, features seven distinct foothills districts to narrow down the planning needs and challenges within each zone. The new trailheads are tied to the 'next step' in bringing the master plan to life, said Kim Shelley, executive director of Salt Lake City Public Lands. The city allocated a little more than $1 million toward constructing the new trailheads, which was matched with a state recreation grant. 'This is an exciting milestone in our continued investment in sustainable and accessible outdoor recreation,' she said. More expansion plans are underway. Public Lands also began work last year to secure land agreements with the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, U.S. Forest Service, University of Utah and Utah Division of State Parks — all of which also own land within the foothills — as part of the next phase of project expansions. A comanagement agreement is being drafted and could be finalized as early as June, Fonarow said. The Salt Lake City Council has already allowed the department to use previously allocated funding to plan and design new trails once an agreement is reached. Planning is expected to pick up soon on the foothill sections between City Creek Canyon and the University of Utah. The department will need to return to the City Council once it is ready to construct any new trails, which could happen as early as next year. Trails that may not have been 'ideally built' during the first phase of the master plan may also be realigned as part of the next steps, which could take place in 2026, he added. It's a step toward adding to what the city's foothills already offer. 'Salt Lake City (is) growing and evolving as a destination for living (and) a destination for quality of life,' Fonarow said. '(Our) access to outdoor recreation is unparalleled.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Salt Lake City to open 4 new foothills trailheads 4 years after plan hit a snag
A handful of bikers, runners and hikers breezed past Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall on a warm, sunny spring morning as she described the importance of the foothills surrounding the city. 'It's pretty hard to beat a bike or a run or a walk with this incredible view,' she said, standing from a spot overlooking downtown from the mouth of City Creek Canyon. 'When you get up, it's even better.' Moments later, she and other city officials took a short hike up a nearby trail to celebrate the opening of the Bonneville Boulevard Trailhead at 650 N. Bonneville Boulevard. The new trailhead, which links some of the newer trails in the area, features parking spaces and six bike racks, each with the city's sego lily logo and mural designs from artists selected by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, as well as new trail signs and a dog-waste-bag dispenser station. It's the first of four new 'major' trailheads on track to open over the next few weeks across the city's foothills network. Others will be located at: Popperton Park, 360 N. Popperton Park Way Victory Road, 670 Victory Road Emigration Canyon, 2699 E. Sunnyside Avenue Some will include similar bike racks, toilets, picnic areas and other amenities. A fifth trailhead — a revamped 18th Avenue Trailhead — will be completed after Salt Lake City Public Utilities finishes an infrastructure project in the area next year. Twenty-five smaller trailheads, mostly with smaller signs and dog-waste stations, will also be added throughout the network, along with over 100 new wayfinding signs. 'While great trails are obviously at the center of a great trail system, thoughtfully designed trailheads help make the trail experience even better,' said Tyler Fonarow, director of trails and natural lands for the Salt Lake City Park and Public Lands Department. 'Our new trailheads ... represent our investment and commitment to ensuring new and returning trailway users alike feel welcome, safe and prepared to have a world-class outdoors experience without leaving the city.' Wednesday's ceremony marked one of the largest updates to the city's foothills plan since the project hit a snag nearly four years ago. After almost four years of planning, Salt Lake City leaders adopted a new foothills master plan in March 2020 to improve the recreational mountain trail system in the 6,000 acres of foothills within city limits. It was approved a week before the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns were instituted, leading to record visitation at city trails, parks and other outdoor spaces. However, some of the project's first trail builds didn't go as planned. Residents and outdoor recreation enthusiasts reported slide-offs and other trail issues from the project's first phase, prompting the city to pause the plan in September 2021 and review what went wrong. The city had erred with 'inefficient' planning, which resulted in 'poor construction quality' and other issues on some of the trails, an independent consulting firm concluded in a final report. The report also found a lack of education on trails that had become decommissioned for repairs and revegetation. A one-year break in developing the plan ultimately became a much longer delay, as the Salt Lake City Public Lands completely rewrote the master plan, focusing on land management over trails. The new version, which department officials unveiled toward the end of last summer, features seven distinct foothills districts to narrow down the planning needs and challenges within each zone. The new trailheads are tied to the 'next step' in bringing the master plan to life, said Kim Shelley, executive director of Salt Lake City Public Lands. The city allocated a little more than $1 million toward constructing the new trailheads, which was matched with a state recreation grant. 'This is an exciting milestone in our continued investment in sustainable and accessible outdoor recreation,' she said. More expansion plans are underway. Public Lands also began work last year to secure land agreements with the Salt Lake City Department of Public Utilities, U.S. Forest Service, University of Utah and Utah Division of State Parks — all of which also own land within the foothills — as part of the next phase of project expansions. A comanagement agreement is being drafted and could be finalized as early as June, Fonarow said. The Salt Lake City Council has already allowed the department to use previously allocated funding to plan and design new trails once an agreement is reached. Planning is expected to pick up soon on the foothill sections between City Creek Canyon and the University of Utah. The department will need to return to the City Council once it is ready to construct any new trails, which could happen as early as next year. Trails that may not have been 'ideally built' during the first phase of the master plan may also be realigned as part of the next steps, which could take place in 2026, he added. It's a step toward adding to what the city's foothills already offer. 'Salt Lake City (is) growing and evolving as a destination for living (and) a destination for quality of life,' Fonarow said. '(Our) access to outdoor recreation is unparalleled.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
How this small library fills a big need for a Salt Lake City neighborhood
Eight main or branch library locations are strategically scattered throughout Salt Lake City, but city leaders were well aware the map left a 'big hole' in and around the Ballpark neighborhood. In fact, District 5, including parts of the Central Ninth, East Liberty and Liberty Wells neighborhoods, was the only Salt Lake City Council district without a public library. That is no longer the case. A group of Ballpark community leaders and residents applauded as city leaders cut a ribbon to open the Ballpark Library Lab, located at 1406 S. West Temple, before the group piled into the building to explore its offerings. 'This is really a dream come true,' said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, adding that it's also a temporary space before a permanent solution is found. Salt Lake City's newest library is about five years in the making. After hearing from residents and spotting the gap, the mayor said she pushed Salt Lake City Public Library officials to 'get something going' in the Ballpark neighborhood. Some in the neighborhood have wanted a library for at least a decade, said Amy Hawkins, chairwoman of the Ballpark Community Council. A future library branch somewhere in the neighborhood is included in the Ballpark Station Area Plan, which the city first released in 2021 to revitalize the neighborhood around Smith's Ballpark. The library system purchased a duplex and a neighboring home about a block south of the ballpark for $1.1 million as the plan was being finalized, setting up a potential site for a permanent library. Then, the city's vision hit a snag. Its plans revolved around the Salt Lake Bees, but that changed when the team relocated to a new stadium in South Jordan. Smith's Ballpark will undergo an adaptive reuse, Mendenhall announced earlier this year. However, it could still be years before a permanent library is constructed and ready to open, so the library system decided to turn the duplex into its first-ever library lab while the neighborhood's future is sorted out. About another $600,000 was invested in building repairs and retrofitting to prepare it for Friday's opening, while the other building is being rented out as affordable housing in coordination with the Salt Lake City Housing Authority. The Ballpark Library Lab isn't like the other city libraries. It has no regular operating hours, but it will be open during events hosted inside it. People can reserve the building from noon to 6 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays. That could change depending on how the lab is used, said Salt Lake City Public Library CEO Noah Baskett. 'This is an experiment in bringing library services that are grounded in community engagement and feedback,' he said. Some events and classes are already planned, including children's reading events, language learning courses and after-school activities, said Xris Macias, the lab's manager. It could also host community events not planned by library staff, while an outside patio will also offer WiFi to patrons even when the building is closed. While some books and movies are available inside, it'll eventually become the city's first '24/7 library' where patrons can pick up items they have placed on hold from the library's vast collection at any time. A locker where people can pick up these items will be installed once it arrives, which is yet to be determined at this point, but a book return bin has already been installed. 'Unfortunately, with some shipping concerns, it's probably at least a couple of months out,' Macias told 'In the meantime, we'll be having holds within (the building) and book drops already available.' To top it off, library officials commissioned Caro Nilsson, a local artist, to wrap the building with a bee-themed mural, which has a double meaning. It gives bees a new Ballpark home following the departure of the baseball team while also paying homage to the Salt Lake City Public Library's mascot. A few baseball themes can be found inside the building, as well, as a nod to the neighborhood's history. Hawkins was among the new library's first patrons, quickly checking out a book to read on Friday. 'This is thrilling ... It's a really, really big deal,' she said, explaining that it can be 'challenging' at times for families in the neighborhood to access library resources in other parts of the city, especially for people without a car. Mendenhall believes the new library has become more important since the Bees left. It will provide a community gathering spot after the neighborhood lost its biggest one. It's a place where kids can learn and play while families have access to resources without needing to purchase a ticket. A new lab is part of that goal, but the city's Ballpark Next project could include a permanent library, moving it closer to the corner of 1300 South and West Temple, as compared to the land the library owns. It's still 'too early in the design framework' to indicate if that's the case, the mayor added. An update to the city's interim ballpark plans is expected in June. Residents are hopeful that short-term and long-term plans, like the lab, can help rejuvenate the area. 'I think there's no sprint to establishing the new use as long as we get a really good intermediate use (and) activation for the space,' Hawkins said.
Axios
22-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Downtown Farmers Market may become a year-round fixture at revitalized Pioneer Park
Utah's largest farmers market could become a year-round staple at Pioneer Park. Driving the news: Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the Downtown Alliance signed an agreement Thursday to revitalize Pioneer Park with plans to build a permanent structure for the market and form a public-private partnership to manage the 10-acre park. Why it matters: Pioneer Park, which hosts the Downtown Farmers Market each summer, has suffered a poor reputation for decades, perceived as unsafe and affected by homelessness. What they're saying: In a statement, Downtown Alliance executive director Dee Brewer said he believes "we can change the chemistry of the park." "We have done it every summer Saturday for 34 years with the Downtown Farmers Market," he said. "Pioneer Park is safe, active and communal on market days. We are ready to build on that success to vitalize the park and the neighborhood." "Pioneer Park is a cornerstone of our downtown heritage, and it has long been full of untapped potential," Mendenhall said in a statement. State of play: Under the memorandum of understanding, the alliance is proposing lawn games, cafe-style seating, a beverage bar and staffed bathrooms. The permanent building would also host community and private events and downtown ambassadors, who will have a daily presence at the park. That's on top of the projects already funded and included in the city's Pioneer Park Vision Plan. Construction is planned to begin this fall on amenities including a picnic pavilion, a mist fountain plaza, a contemporary playground, a basketball court, and six pickleball courts.
