The Jordan River and its trail have the power to help Utahns explore the outdoors, enjoy nature and even travel around town.
But persistent patterns of neglect have created a corridor that instead often experiences illegal homeless camps and drug activity, and suffers from poor maintenance, especially in Salt Lake City.
The Salt Lake Tribune’s ‘Trail of neglect’ series explores how the path reached its current state, and what could be done to create a better future for the byway. The three-part series, produced in partnership with City Cast Salt Lake, is out now, with each installment accompanied by a podcast.
Part 1: Homelessness, drug activity are changing how west-siders use the Jordan River and its trail
Part 2: The Jordan River Trail is a bit nicer south of Salt Lake City. Why is that?
Part 3: Could the big leagues along the Jordan River turn SLC into a ‘river city’?
New plans for the river call for the creation of additional amenities along its banks, most vividly with the ambitious Power District site in the Fairpark neighborhood, which would include a Major League Baseball stadium if developers get their way.
Other plans, including the Emerald Ribbon Action Plan in Utah’s capital and The Point development in Draper, also seek to breathe new life into the corridor.
But all those initiatives don’t target the trail’s most pressing problems: homelessness and drug activity.
Experts, advocates and state leaders hope to build a more comprehensive and seamless homeless services system. The primary proposal on the table is to construct a massive new homeless shelter somewhere along the Wasatch Front, possibly even on the river’s banks.
