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Salt Lake City announced Thursday the purchase of 305 acres of open lands near City Creek Canyon for $1.37 million, closing out a 12-year $5.4 million Open Space Fund bond.

Mayor Jackie Biskupski said the city had completed the acquisition of two parcels near City Creek Canyon. The land was first identified by the city's Open Space Program in February and was recommended for purchase by the municipality's Parks, Natural Land Trails, and Urban Forestry Advisory Board.

One parcel of 144.8 acres, located in the foothills directly north of Ensign Peak, is known as Hell Canyon. The parcel fills a gap in the city's foothill open lands area and includes a section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, according to a statement from City Hall. Buying the parcel protects native gambel oak woodland and secures scenic views from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, as well as opportunity for future trail development.

The acreage was acquired from a private owner using the remaining balance of the city's Open Space Fund managed by the Department of Public Services.

Another parcel of 160 acres is located on City Creek Canyon ridge on the City Creek watershed. The acreage is a relatively undisturbed foothill habitat, which is a rarity in the Salt Lake Valley, according to the statement. It is part of a larger area that serves as winter habitat for elk and year-round habitat for turkey and mule deer. It is also home to a variety of wildflowers.

The second parcel was purchased from a private owner using the city's Watershed Fund managed by the Department of Public Utilities.

"Preserving this land has been a top priority for our teams in Public Utilities and Parks, who worked cooperatively to secure this deal for Salt Lake City," Biskupski said. "This acquisition helps protect assets our city cares deeply about, including our delicate watershed area, comprehensive trail system, and spectacular wildlife-viewing areas — a fitting end to the Open Space Bond, which has served this city well for 12 years."

The purchases were made with $735,000 through the city's Open Space Fund and $640,000 through the Watershed Fund.

In 2003, Salt Lake City voters passed the $5.4 million Open Space Fund Bond for the acquisition of open space lands. The funds in the Open Space Fund were set to expire in September.

"The Open Space Bond has been a powerful resource over the last 12 years, allowing Salt Lake City to act quickly to protect important natural lands, waterways and trail corridors as opportunities arose," the mayor said. "Moving forward, the city will continue to look for opportunities to protect valuable open space properties of unique recreational, ecological and scenic value."

Since 2004, the Open Space Bond helped fund the acquisition of seven open space sites along the Jordan River Parkway (35 acres), six open space sites in the foothills and along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (315 acres), and four open space sites along Emigration and Parleys creeks (10 acres).

Those protected lands include the scenic Bonneville Shoreline Preserve in the city's north foothills, natural grasslands around the H-Rock on the east bench, Wasatch Hollow Preserve nestled along Emigration Creek, the Sugar House Draw connecting Sugar House Park to Hidden Hollow, and key parcels along the Jordan River corridor near North Temple that will facilitate completion of the 50-mile Jordan River Parkway Trail.

Christopher Smart