Salt Lake City Public Lands has rolled out two fresh concept designs for Jefferson Park and is asking nearby residents to weigh in. The ideas would keep the park’s role as a stormwater detention basin while layering on a perimeter walking loop, new gathering spaces, water-wise landscaping, and brighter lighting to help discourage crime. A new playground that went in back in September 2025 was the first visible phase of this effort, and planners say the broader redesign is meant to make the three-acre park feel more welcoming to the Ballpark and Central Ninth neighborhoods. City staff gathered early feedback at a recent open house and are now collecting responses online.
Two concepts, similar goals
According to Salt Lake City Public Lands, the city is offering two options. "Heart of the Neighborhood" leans into social space, with an emphasis on gathering areas and an expanded play zone. "On the Go" is more about movement and connections, built around looped paths and flexible event plazas.
Both concepts share a core set of upgrades that would show up no matter which layout wins out: a perimeter walking path, more seating, native and water-wise plantings, and improved lighting. The intent is to respect the park’s detention-basin function while making it a place people actually use every day. The project information also notes that the playground that opened last fall is part of the Reimagine Jefferson Park effort and will be folded into the final design.
Budget and timeline
The redesign is backed by several funding streams. Local reporting shows the project is drawing $750,000 from the Parks, Trails & Open Space GO Bond and $530,000 from a Capital Improvement Program award, and the Community Reinvestment Agency has recently signaled another $300,000 in supplemental support. As reported by KSL, the CRA contribution would help cover lighting, the walking loop and native plantings that tie the park into nearby redevelopment.
Designers say they will refine a final concept after they review public feedback. From there, the project is expected to move into design, bidding and construction phases over the next year.
How to weigh in
SLC Public Lands has opened an online survey and put out a Spanish-language notice asking for feedback. The department’s social media post links to the survey and shows renderings of both concept plans. As posted by Salt Lake City Public Lands on Facebook, the proposals highlight an ADA-compliant entrance, a "no-mow" habitat area, and a dedicated food-truck and event zone with electrical hookups.
Neighbors who wanted to speak in person could attend the Jefferson Park open house co-hosted with the Central Ninth Community Council at Publik Space on Feb. 18, according to the council’s website. For background and project documents, see Salt Lake City.
