Independent Canyon Road survey finds trees top priority; most respondents oppose sidewalks on both sides

An independent public‑opinion survey on Canyon Road design options drew a mixed response and strong local interest when Matt Vance, Wilton neighborhood chair and survey author, presented the results to the Logan City Council on Oct. 7.

Vance said the survey was open three weeks and received 821 submissions (about 750 completed in English and roughly 70 partial responses; one partial was in Spanish). Distribution used Facebook posts, flyers with QR codes and local email lists. Respondents skewed toward long‑term residents: Vance reported roughly 46 percent had lived in Logan for more than 20 years.

Key findings: When survey takers selected up to three elements they wanted prioritized in the street design, "trees" was the top choice (about 29 percent). On the question whether sidewalks on both sides of Canyon Road would benefit the community, 60 percent said "no," 28 percent said "yes" and the rest were indifferent. Respondents split on the preferred pedestrian path width, with many choosing a 5‑foot path but a near 50/50 split among 8‑foot asphalt and 8‑foot concrete for wider paths. For landscaping in the park strip, native plants led the choices (about 43 percent), followed by xeriscaping and then turf.

On Canyon Road Park parking, respondents were strongly opposed to creating many new parking stalls: roughly 82 percent favored a smaller option of 10 parallel spaces (or no new parking), while 18 percent supported adding 20 spaces. The survey included more than 600 open‑text comments on tree species and types of landscaping; the largest theme in open comments was opposition to removing mature trees and a desire for shade trees and low‑water species.

Methodology and limits: Vance emphasized the survey was an informational data point rather than a binding vote and that it was professionally designed to minimize bias. He also noted the survey was anonymous except where respondents left a name and address; a small number of respondents included contact details and asked for follow‑up, which Vance said he would pass to city staff. Vance also offered to supply the full dataset to the city as a PDF and an Excel export.

Reaction in council: Council members asked clarifying questions about the question wording and distribution. Staff noted Canyon Road construction must fit within an existing 66‑foot right‑of‑way and that not all requested elements can be accommodated simultaneously. The city will use the survey as one data point alongside technical constraints as design work continues.

Ending: Vance said the full slides and comments will be posted publicly. Council members and staff said they will consider the survey alongside engineering, right‑of‑way, ADA, flooding and tree preservation constraints as the Canyon Road design advances.