City Creek’s Rotary Park: A Partnership with the Rotary Club

June 29, 1999
City Creek Canyon has been viewed as the “Crown Jewel” of Salt Lake City.  Located just minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, City Creek stream was the City’s first water supply. In the early years, Brigham Young, Mormon leader, was given stewardship over the canyon in order to protect its valuable resources.  Since Salt Lake City was incorporated in 1851, the canyon and its precious water have been protected. However, despite the protective designation, the public has had access to the canyon to enjoy its quite beauty, just out of earshot from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.

Even with protection, public overuse of the canyon had its consequences. In 1952 the canyon was closed due to pollution of the stream.  Subsequently, in 1953-55 a water treatment plant was constructed approximately 3-miles up the canyon. It was not until 1967 when public access was once again permitted in the canyon. Today strict watershed protection controls are in effect above the water treatment plant intake.

Salt Lake Rotary Park, located approximately 4.7-miles up the canyon represents a long standing and successful partnership between the Rotary Club and Salt Lake City dating back to 1921.   The civic effort was completed in the fall of 1927. For over 30 years, the Rotary Club provided untold numbers of residents the benefit of their volunteer efforts and cash contributions.  However, the Park fell into disrepair while City Creek was closed. This changed in 1991, when the Rotary Club leadership renewed its commitment to Rotary Park. Since then each summer, Rotary Club volunteers clean, paint and provide general maintenance to the Park.

In 1995, the club leadership again made improvements to the Park by naming the various sites and providing new signs marking each site. As part of the signage, names of Rotary Club leaders were dedicated. This phase of improvements were culminated in a rededication of the Park on September 10, 1996.  Mayor Deedee Corradini spoke in praise of the partnership between the Rotary Club and Salt Lake City in providing the Park for public use.

The following article appeared in the 1922 Municipal Record and is reprinted here to help preserve the history of Rotary Park and acknowledge the contributions of the Rotary Club and its dedicated members.

    Rotary Memorial Bridge and Rotary Park Dedicated

    Rotary Memorial Bridge and Rotary Park, located at the forks in City Creek Canyon, were dedicated and presented to the citizens of Salt Lake City by the membership of the Salt Lake Rotary Club, Tuesday, August 22nd.  The presentations were made by President A.C. Wherry of the Club and accepted on behalf of the people by Commissioner T. T. Burton representing the City Commission.

    For the last three years the local Rotary Club has observed the third Tuesday in August a “Good Roads Day.” Shouldering picks and shovels and donned in overalls the 200 local Rotarians have rendered material assistance in the construction of roads in City Creek and Parley’s Canyons. The last two years the Club’s work has been confined to City Creek Canyon.  This year in connection with the road work the program was enlarged to the extent of building under the direction of Rotarians Eric Ryberg and Taylor Woolley, a concrete bridge costing more than $8,000 and a park for picnic and other outing parties with accommodations for 500 persons.  The park is located a few hundred feet north of the bridge. The new bridge is a memoriam to the deceased members of the local Rotary Club. A bronze tablet has been placed on the archway with the motto of Rotary: “Service before Self,” and the following memorial inscription is added:

      “In memory of its members who honored this motto and have passed on the Salt Lake Rotary Club presents this bridge to lovers of nature who held in affection this canyon. The following names were listed: H.L.A. Culmer, F.W. Francis, E.R. Jennings, J. Heber Richards, Max M. Weil, A.M. Wrench, Adolph Simon, Frank K. Nilson, D. M. Guillotte, L. H. Harding, C.W. Stimpson, William Bowen, Lawrence A. Greene, O.G. Hemenway, W.J. Barrette and Charles A. Faus.”

    A large part of the work of clearing the site for the Rotary Grove was done by Boy Scouts under the direction of Rotarian Oscar Kirkham.

    Preceding the dedication flag raising ceremonies in Rotary Park were held with all Rotarians, City and County officials assembled.  The invocation was made by Bishop David A. Smith.  Dr. Wherry in dedicating and presenting the bridge to the citizens of Salt Lake spoke briefly on the purposes and ideals of Rotary.  He recalled the fact that a year ago the Club lost its Secretary, Lewis H. Harding, through an accident, and the movement for the construction of the bridge was started at that time and carried to a successful conclusion.

    Commissioner Burton representing the City Commission accepted the gift on behalf of the citizens of the city.  Commissioner Burton complimented the members of the Club for their work and unselfishness and assured the Rotarians that every effort would be made to construct City Creek Canyon road from Salt Lake City to the summit.  In this statement Commissioner Burton was supported by Chairman of the County Commission, Mr. Joseph Wirthlin. 

    City Creek Road and Bridge constructed by the Rotary Club between 1919-1922. Circa 1922
    Brief remarks were made by Chairman Preston Peterson of the State Highway Commission and Dr. Elmer Goshen.

    Resolutions extending thanks to the City and County Commissioners for their co-operation in the building of the bridge, road and park were adopted by the Club at the regular business meeting Tuesday evening, September 5th.  Copies of the resolutions have been forwarded to Mayor Neslen and Chairman Wirthlin of the County Commission.  A resolution was also adopted thanking the state officials for their support.

    Under date of September 19th, 1922, Commissioner T. T. Burton in a letter addressed to the Municipal Record has the following to say in regard to the construction of Rotary Memorial Bridge and Rotary Park:

    The Rotary Club of Salt Lake City deserves a great deal of credit for the civic pride shown in the building of Rotary Memorial Bridge and Rotary Park in City Creek Canyon.

    The bridge is a massive concrete arch spanning the creek near the Forks and makes accessible the beautiful little park located a few hundred feet farther up the canyon.

    “The Department of Streets transported the material which went into the construction of the bridge and concrete topped tables in the park, with a fleet of 5-ton Packard trucks assisted by a Holt Caterpillar tractor.

    The use of the tractor was made necessary by the steep grades to be overcome.  By this method it was possible to haul capacity loads each trip.

    The City Commission appropriated $1200 for the construction of a road approaching the bridge from either side. The old road was such a heavy grade that in building these approaches it was necessary to commence the new road about one-fourth of a mile below the bridge, and to continue it on one-fourth of a mile up the canyon after crossing the bridge.

    Some heavy limestone ledges were encountered in grading, but with the up-to date equipment the Street Department had provided, the work was made comparatively easy. 

    A 45-horsepower Holt Caterpillar tractor, together with a Cleveland Caterpillar borrowed from the State Road Commission, were used in pulling the grading machines.

    The deepest cut in the new road is between 20 to 30 feet and huge stones weighing as much as 10 tons each were removed and used in the rip-rapping work.

    The road through City Creek Canyon to this artistic bridge and beautiful park is sprinkled daily and furnishes one of the most delightful drives leading from the City.

City Creek remains today the “Crown Jewel” of Salt Lake City.  As time as passed, so have the uses within the canyon.  The canyon has been declared a “Nature Preserve” by Ordinance after a Master Plan was approved in April 1986. Thousands of people use the canyon for picnicking, jogging, bicycling, fishing or just enjoying this wonderful amenity to the City. Walkers, joggers and runners are welcome daily.  The canyon is open by reservation from Memorial Day to Labor Day for automobiles on Even numbered days. Bicycles are allowed only on Odd numbered days. Remember that no domestic animals are allowed above the water treatment plant, including Rotary Park.

Rotarian's clean, repair and paint historic Rotary Park in 1995. Photo courtesy of the Rotary Club
The Rotary Club leadership has expressed interest in making additional improvements to the Park.  In a letter dated June 30, 1998 Gil Iker, reaffirmed the Rotary Club’s commitment to the continued partnership with Salt Lake City and the common goals of preserving the canyon watershed and water supply quality.  Mr. Iker writes, “[Our intent] in suggesting that ‘Nature Preserve’ be added to the “City Creek Canyon” name…[affirming] a psychological name that embraces a broader meaning.  In that context we encourage signage to be posted at the gated entrance and frequently along the road to emphasize that City Creek is a precious watershed and recreational users should behave accordingly.”     

Rotary Park remains an outstanding commitment by the Rotary Club and its civic partnership with the citizens of Salt Lake City. “Thank you Rotary Club and for your contribution to the quality of life in this community.”

For picnic ground reservations call 483-6880

Questions regarding this article can be sent to: vickie.baer@slcgov.com