City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta made it her New Year’s resolution to visit all 511 parks in Salt Lake County, and she’s sharing the best finds along the way.
According to the Trust for Public Land, 85% of Salt Lake City residents live within 10 minutes of a park. Explore the parks in your neighborhood, and you might come across something eccentric or downright unusual. Here are some local parks with unexpected stories.
This pocket park is understated. Until you read the placard: Largest Austrian Pines in the United States. Go off, Holladay!
Ever since a 5.7-magnitude earthquake hit Magna in March 2020, I’ve tried to avoid thinking about fault lines. And then I visited Faultline Park. Stunning views, great breakup swings. But, did you know 1300 East follows the Wasatch fault zone? That’s that east bench.
Nine-foot stairs to the Mary Tree at Taufer Park. (Ali Vallarta/City Cast Salt Lake)
In 1997, someone saw the Virgin Mary in a Taufer Park tree. Catholics rallied around the sighting, traveling to visit the site and ultimately, building 9-foot stairs up to the knot. Over the years, the image has been destroyed by vandalism, but the stairs remain.
Let’s get real on the Jordan River Trail. Alzheimer’s is a fearful diagnosis — and really hard on caretakers. Which is why I love that Alzheimer’s Wildlife Grove was dedicated as a quiet, serene respite for them.
Midvale Fire Station #126 said, you know what? Let’s toss a playground back here. We have all this grass!
The only photo I took of Bluffdale City Park structures before my phone died. So sorry. (Ali Vallarta/City Cast Salt Lake)
Everything about Bluffdale’s many parks is new. They have the swankiest playgrounds, shiniest pickleball courts … and the most rickety-a$$-old-timey-looking pretend village sets. Through those windows are Christmas decorations waiting for their cue.
