Millcreek has the shortest Jordan River shoreline of any city along the banks, at a spot where its western border connects with just under a mile of the waterway near Meadowbrook Golf Course.
But until recently, that mile was pockmarked by private, unused backyards, a smelly sewer treatment station and thick vegetation ideal for birds — as well as people looking for a secluded place to pitch a tent.
Now, a new trailhead just off Meadowbrook Expressway has replaced the old water treatment facility and construction crews have added picnic tables, paved paths, parking and a new boat launch. Vault toilets are set to be installed next year. An addition to the Jordan River Trail also stretches southeast along Millcreek’s small shoreline, leading to a new bridge connecting the city to Taylorsville.
Millcreek officials say the newly opened facilities are key to helping residents who live in nearby apartment complexes and condominium projects enjoy the outdoors.
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“This is a place for people just to have better access to the river and do it on the Millcreek side,” Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvestrini said. “It also functions as a park area with a pavilion, and it’s right on their doorstep.”
The trailhead offers access to multiple activities, including kayaking on the river and a roughly 20-minute loop walk created by the new bridge. The area could draw bird watchers, too. During a walk along the new trail Tuesday, two black-billed magpies could be seen chasing each other through the trees along the riverbank.
Tuesday’s opening ceremony was the culmination of seven years of planning and construction, according to Millcreek city manager and former Utah House Representative Mike Winder. In total, he estimated the project — funded via a collection of grants and included a variety of government agencies — cost around $2.5 million.
The trailhead is just a few steps from the Salt Lake Valley’s version of Four Corners, where Millcreek, Taylorsville, West Valley City and South Salt Lake all meet, in the middle of the Jordan River.
Winder said about half Millcreek’s population lives west of Highland Drive. But, especially in the dense far western reaches of town, green spaces are few and far between.
“We have now basically taken our most western neighborhood and put this unique environmental recreational amenity in their neighborhood,” said Millcreek City Council representative Silvia Catten, whose district includes the trailhead.
“That’s super important,” Catten said, “because you can actually get to the Sunnyvale neighborhood, which is just over there, which houses a huge population of refugees and immigrants, lots of kids over there, and a lot of them have never been over here.”
Catten envisions a new active city space at the trailhead. She wants to see educational programming and partnerships drawing residents to the river for cleanups and other events.
“When you can get moms with strollers somewhere, you know it’s safe,” Catten said. “If we can get moms and strollers here, I think that’s the beginning of a turnover of an era where it wasn’t safe.”
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