Kenton Peters: Salt Lake City should stick to its Foothills Trails System Plan

Salt Lake City prides and promotes itself as being a sophisticated city of arts, education and business that also has unparalleled access to the natural environment and outdoor recreation amenities. This creates a quality of life that sets Salt Lake apart from other cities and it is one of the reasons that our city is growing and thriving.

For decades, the Salt Lake City foothills trails have provided easy access for people going outside to recreate. The pandemic has led to additional people heading outdoors in search of fresh air and social distance. In addition, the foothill trails now see increasing use by a new generation of users. Young mountain bikers, hikers, trail runners and dog-walkers are also enjoying the easy access to foothill trails.

With this increased usage the trails are often crowded and can be the scene of unfortunate conflicts between user groups. These conditions adversely affect all users and reduce the enjoyment that being in nature should bring.

Anticipating this problem, in 2016 the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands initiated a process to solicit public input and engage stakeholders to help plan a network of new trails in the foothills. Over the next four years more than 4,000 people and 53 stakeholders provided input on the foothill’s trails plan. This input was the basis of the Foothills Trails System Plan that was developed by a professional planning firm with trails expertise. Using this plan new trail construction started in 2020.

The new trails debuted in the spring of 2021 to widespread approval. Hikers enjoyed trails that were off limits to mountain bikes. Bikers enjoyed downhill-only trails where they could roll without encountering uphill hikers and bikers. It seemed to be a solution where everyone benefits.

Unfortunately, the approval was not unanimous. A small group of people became concerned that the new trails scarred the foothills, were creating erosion and were encouraging more people to recreate in the foothills. They made their case to Mayor Mendenhall and to some City Council members. As a result, the trails project was paused until at least June 2022.

According to the mayor, the project was paused so that city staff and independent consultants can further review the trails plan. The mayor said the move will allow for better planning and consider concerns associated with the trails’ impact on the environment.

For many foothills trails users this indefinite pause in trail construction has created a great deal of frustration and concern. There is a remedy at hand to solve the problems with the foothill’s trails, but it appears that it is in danger of being cast aside. That remedy is found in the Foothills Trails System Plan that is already in place and has been vetted over the last five years.

In response to this indefinite “pause,” a new advocacy group — the Salt Lake City Trails Alliance — has formed to support building new trails in the foothills.

The Salt Lake City Trails Alliance supports building a balanced mix of new trails and the maintenance of existing trails to allow all foothills trails users a positive and beneficial outdoor experience.

We believe that any new trail construction must be carefully conceived, built and managed. Not only do the wishes of various user groups need to be addressed but safety, aesthetics, the environment and cultural issues must also be considered. We believe that foothills trails are not just a local neighborhood amenity. Trails must be welcoming to everyone no matter where they live or how they recreate.

While there is certainly a limit to the carrying capacity of nearby public lands, there is also sufficient space to accommodate the current Foothills Trails System Plan. Access to the foothills is convenient and requires little or no driving. The foothills are the right place to increase the trail supply to meet the growing recreational demand and add to the quality of life in our city.

Let the current construction pause continue through the winter. Use the next few months to complete the needed reviews. Then in spring of 2022 re-start construction according to the Foothills Trails System Plan and build more trails that will benefit all users of the foothills.

If you are interested in adding your voice to the foothills trails dialogue you can email Salt Lake City Parks and Public Lands at openspacecomments@slcgov.com or connect with the Salt Lake Trails Alliance at www.slctrailsalliance.org.

Kenton Peters is an architect, serves on the Salt Lake City Historic Landmarks Commission and has been hiking, biking, dog-walking, running and skiing in the foothills since 1975.