Seven Canyons Trust

Results: As students at the University of Utah, we envisioned the first intervention in the century-long vision. During our initial analysis of the Valley’s hydrology in that course, each creek was mapped from headwaters to confluence. A series of flyovers were created. We noticed three creeks – Red Butte, Emigration, and Parley’s – spilled out at the same location, 1300 South and 900 West, in Salt Lake City. Sandwiched between an auto shop and half-burnt home, the initial site visit revealed a degraded site in the low-income, highly-diverse Salt Lake City neighborhood of Glendale. Renderings and site plans were created to demonstrate the potential for stream daylighting at this location and, more broadly, for the Salt Lake Valley. Highlighted as the centerpiece of 100 Years of Daylighting, the Three Creeks Confluence was born. In 2014, we presented this ambitious project to Salt Lake City as students. He championed the vision, bringing it to the radar of Salt Lake City’s Parks & Public Lands. Three community workshops gathered public feedback. Community celebrations introduced residents to the site through creative art intervention and tactical urbanism. Open mics, dances, and creek walks activated the site and built support for the effort. Over $3 million was secured for the construction of the Three Creeks Confluence. We daylighted 200 feet of combined stream and created a Jordan River Trail connection, fishing bridge, and plaza space. In 2017, the Seven Canyons Trust received an Achievement Award from the Utah American Planning Association for the innovative project design and the creative community engagement process. Learn more: https://sevencanyonstrust.org/tcc.

Target demographics: We serve neighborhoods through which the seven creeks flow with emphasis on communities who have lost access to their waterways due to creek burial, channelization, and degradation. We work with neighborhood residents and property owners, community groups, developers, and governmental leaders to achieve our mission.

Geographic areas served: Salt Lake County, UT

Programs: The Seven Canyons Trust runs multiple programs and projects along its three goals: (1) Riparian Restoration; (2) Community Building; and (3) Advocacy. Goal 01. Riparian Restoration – Improving Salt Lake County’s creeks through daylighting, habitat improvement, and property acquisition. Goal 02. Community Building – Developing stewardship through events, environmental education, and workshops. Goal 03. Advocacy – Developing public policy, building capacity, and providing technical assistance.