Plans, long in the making, include a two- to three-acre trailhead park, open space and expansion of the city's two-mile Wild Rose Trail.

"I've been involved with these plans for at least 10 years," said Trails Committee Chairman Stan Porter, a former two-term city councilman who also served two terms on North Salt Lake's Planning Commission.

"From the top of the Wild Rose Trail, about one mile above sea level, you can see the entire valley, Antelope Island and almost to Tooele," Porter said.

Earlier this week, the city completed the purchase of the scenic swath of land for $575,000.

In a statement describing the real estate transaction, City Attorney Michael Nielsen credited Eaglepoint Development, Pace-Platt Investment Co., Plumb Development, B & E Pace Investment and Cordova Limited Partnership for making charitable contributions.

Eaglepoint attorney Scott Kjar estimates that the land value exceeds $2 million, the statement said.

By midsummer, the city hopes to install restrooms, drinking fountains and a 35-stall parking lot in the new park.

That work, along with additional trail improvements, will cost between $600,000 and $1 million. The funds are expected to come from residential impact fees.

To Porter, the hillside land strikes a sentimental chord - he proposed to his wife there 38 years ago.

"It was a pretty little spot. I borrowed my neighbor's new motorcycle, we drove up there and I asked her," he said.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com