Millcreek staff outline Jordan River trailhead, pavilion and boat launch; grand opening set for Earth Day

Staff presented a multi-phase update on the Jordan River trail and adjacent park at the Feb. 24 Millcreek City Council work meeting, describing completed trail paving, new fencing, a southern bridge and planned amenities including a pavilion, picnic areas, parking, a vault toilet (partly funded by a $54,000 grant) and a boat launch.

The mayor said the project aims to increase legitimate use and “get more eyes on the ground” to deter unsheltered encampments that had degraded the river corridor. Staff described the completed paved trail (roughly a one-mile loop) and bridge at the southern terminus near the Murray city border, and a trailhead and parking on the northern end at approximately the 4000 South / 4010 South transition. The project includes wayfinding signs that display Millcreek and neighboring jurisdictions’ logos; Salt Lake County requested a Jordan River Regional Park label on the county-owned pedestrian bridge.

Funding for the trail and amenities comes from a mix of sources staff identified as community development block grants directed to low-income neighborhoods, grants to the Jordan River Commission, Department of Natural Resources funding allocated by the state legislature for the corridor, and a $54,000 grant for a vault toilet specifically noted by staff. Council member Sylvia Catton was identified as Millcreek’s representative to the Jordan River Commission and as a voice on the project.

Staff said the county will operate and maintain the regional park portion after construction and that use of the trail and park began immediately after initial work; staff reported people already using the site. The mayor and staff invited the public to a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony scheduled for Earth Day at 10:30 a.m., with city staff planning a short program and activities.