Parks and public, open spaces are vital for healthy communities. One of the goals and benefits of the Wasatch Choice Vision involves ample and convenient parks, public spaces, and open land for gathering and recreating. These spaces take on many forms and settings, including stream corridors, trails, wildlife habitats, agricultural lands, established parks, and natural open spaces. Access to parks and public spaces helps us connect with and appreciate the Wasatch Front’s natural beauty.

Green space through neighborhood and pocket parks increases access to valuable gathering and play spaces. Trail connections focused on creating links between these valuable green spaces and centers provide unique recreation and transportation options.  Planning for these spaces requires thoughtful collaboration from various stakeholders, as many of these projects and interests focus on complex ecosystems and span many jurisdictions and regions.

If your community is interested in connecting parks and public spaces, there are opportunities to support these efforts. The Transportation and Land Use Connection Program (TLC) provides technical assistance for communities to achieve their visions for growth, consistent with the Wasatch Choice Vision. An additional resource within the TLC Program is Ordinance Assistance, an opportunity for communities to work together at no cost to the local partners to audit and update ordinances to align with future planning goals.

For additional information regarding Parks and Public Spaces, please contact Matt Ryan.