Parley's Historic Nature Park

Nestled at the mouth of Parley's Canyon is a ravine along I-80 often
called "the dog park". People representing 37 organizations, such as the
Audubon Society, Wasatch Mountain Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Utah
Historical Society, Sierra Club, Sons of the Utah Pioneers, Utah
Heritage Foundation, Utah Native Plants, and Tree Utah worked for many
years to acquire this special park.

The land was DEDICATED in 1986 as a Nature Preserve. The beautiful
riparian area, through which Parley's Creek runs, was a breeding/nesting
area for some 110 bird species and other wildlife. Many of the
life-sustaining wetlands and stream banks are now bare from overuse and
negligence. Much of the sensitive hillsides and underbrush for wildlife
habitat are also eroded. Most of the 88 plant species are disappearing.
Trails have become roads and much grassland has eroded to bare dirt. As
the city's last true natural streambed, Parley's Creek is dying quickly
without city care.

The park has a rich history. A toll road, Pony Express route and
railroad, went through this area. Some 80% of the early pioneers entered
the valley on this land. The 150 year-old sandstone aqueduct and
beautiful old-stone walls are eroding with the huge amount of traffic
from people and off-leash dogs.

Usage numbers for a "Nature Park" are way beyond its carrying capacity.
For this reason, an organization titled Citizens Organized to Protect
Parley's Park (COPPPS) was formed and has made several presentations to
the City Council urging them to plan and care for this important
ecological site. The city, in trying to satisfy the growing dog owner
population, opened up the Nature Park to off-leash dogs.  A one-year
trial (Nov. 2005-2006) was allowed to view the impact on the environment
before making a permanent decision to allow off-leash use.
Unfortunately, this decision resulted in much more destruction than
anticipated.

Since the Nature Park is within the boundaries of the Sugarhouse
Community Council, their 2001 Masterplan stated that the area should be
maintained as a Nature Park. In 2007, the Sugarhouse Council voted 18 to
1 that the area should be a natural, scenic, historic and wildlife
habitat--free of off-leash dogs. It's now up to the City Council to decide.

It is hoped the city will start to care about the land with appropriate
funding, a Master Plan, a Nature Center (non-existent in SLC), and
law enforcement.

Once protected, Parley's Historic Nature Park could educate the public
about our magnificent environment, our Utah history and our unity with
nature. As our population increases, wildlife habitat becomes more
precious for both people and the wildlife. This unique 88-acre land, so
wonderfully close to human habitat, helps us all connect with the
natural world.

For more info, email COPPPS at: parleys_historic_nature_park@yahoo.com