The Great Avenues Foothills Trail Imbroglio

I have lived in Salt Lake City for over 25 years.  During that time, I have been a trail runner, mountain biker, and hiker, although I can no longer do the former.  I recreate in the Avenues foothills probably 3 or 4 days a week, sometimes more.  I've even ski toured in them.  

I'm old enough to remember when the segment of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail from Pipeline Pass to Dry Creek was constructed, as well as the segments from Morris Meadow to City Creek Canyon and from City Creek Canyon to North Salt Lake.  All of these trail additions improved the quality of life and access to outdoor recreation for Salt Lake City area residents.  

So when I saw plans a couple of years ago to expand the foothills trail network, I was excited.  The Bonneville Shoreline Trail was becoming increasingly crowded.  Lots of bikers and hikers.  The plan included hiking only trails, downhill biking trails, hiking and uphill biking trails, and multiuse trails.  It make sense to expand trail opportunities and create a system that segregated users.  

Last year track hoes began to construct the trail system.  By April 23rd of this year, most of the trails in the Morris Meadow and Mountain area were open for use.  Like the Whos in Whoville, hikers and bikers have emerged from the pandemic and flocked to these trails.  I haven't bothered leaving the neighborhood to ride or hike anywhere else as the spring weather has been pleasant and there have been new trails to explore.  

The new "19th Avenue" downhill flow trail in the Avenues foothills

However, on May 12, an article appeared in the Salt Lake Tribune headlined "Are SLC's long-awaited foothill trails falling flat?" that featured numerous complaints about the new trail system.  On Friday, it was announced that city officials had halted trail building until at least October in response to these complaints (see "Work on SLC's foothill trails halted until at least October").  

The city is now collecting input from trail users via an online survey available at https://www.slc.gov/trailsurvey/.  Please take a few minutes to share your opinions and views.