Category Archives: Neighborhood Beautification

Neighborhood Cleanup Changes

Neighbor Cleanup has been part of Salt Lake for more than 20 year. It has been a great way for residents to help keep their yard and homes clean. However, it will come as no surprise to anyone who lives on the west side that the current program leaves something to be desired. For us it has often been a period of weeks with piles of trash call2haulleft on the street.

After an intensive public outreach campaign last year and a survey with over 4,000 responses the city is changing how the program works. Starting this summer the city is adopting a “Call 2 Haul” program. Starting sometime around the middle of June, and continuing year round, each house in the city will be able to call and schedule their own day to have bulk waste removed.

We are excited to how the new program works. Please talk to your neighbors and let them know about the new system. We are very hopeful that “Call 2 Haul” will help keep our streets looking much better this summer.

To learn more and see the results of the survey check out this link http://www.slcgreen.com/c2h

Dirt2Table: A Great time of year!

Don’t you love it this time of year? I certainly do. Everything from the buds swelling on the fruit trees, dandelions blooming, willows and others flowering, to the birds getting more active, it sure feels like spring.

seedlingseparation
I just hope that a late frost doesn’t get some of our fruit trees this year. As you may know if you read these columns, the Fairpark Community Council is hosting it’s First Annual Get your garden STARTED Plant Sale. We are starting dozens of varieties of peppers and tomatoes. Lots of heirlooms as well as several varieties of Basil. In fact, as of March 7th some of the Lettuce Leaf basil is already up from seeds planted 8 days ago.

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Forget Easter Eggs: The Hunt for Trash

 

upload_-1(9)Despite it being Easter weekend, approximately a dozen Fairpark Community residents showed up at noon on Saturday, April 4th, to volunteer for the Spring Adopt a Spot to clean up trash along the Fairpark Community’s section of the Jordan River. Headquarters was the pavilion in Cottonwood Park on the east side of the river, next to the playground.

After being plied with snacks and beverages by the project’s coordinator, Brook Bernier, the volunteers headed out, equipped with trash grabbers and large (very large) black plastic bags. The objective was to pick up trash along the Jordan River Parkway Trail and on both sides of the river. Volunteers were also instructed to note the location of graffiti and any signs of homeless camps.upload_-1(6)

Some headed north, with several folks making it up to 700 North. The rest (braver folks because of trees) turned south, towards the bridge where North Temple crosses the river.

upload_-1(10)At least one person returned to Headquarters to get another bag. This person actually had to call Brook’s able assistant, Robert Dansie, to have him come help her haul her bags back.

After several hours, people straggled back to the pavilion, dragging their bags upload_-1(8)behind them. The outcome? Over a dozen bags both partially and totally full of trash. Also, folks got tasty treats from Brook. And had the opportunity to chat (face-to-face) with old acquaintances and meet new neighbors.

There be another Adopt-A-Spot event this Summer. If you would like to participate or get more information, contact Brook at brookbernier at gmail dot com.

 

Fairpark Changes: A Resident Speaks Out

As a long-time resident of the Fairpark area, I have been asked many times why I would even want to live in “such an area”. The West side of SLC for years has been a less desirable address in the eyes of some people. However, it seems things are changing, and property in this area has shown a new interest. Just as other areas, such as the Marmalade District, have seen a resurgence of development, so, too, our area is on the cusp of development.photo 7

The type of development in our area is something with which the current residents should be concerned. It is one of the last near-downtown areas of the Valley that still has affordable homes and larger residential lots. We enjoy spending time in our yards and gardens and feeling that we are still close to the attractions of Salt Lake City such as arts, education, and civic events. However, changes are happening all around us. You only need to look at what has happened near the intersection of North Temple and 600 West. Hundreds of apartments and Condominiums have gone up, forcing out the few homes that used to exist there. It seems that when there is any land available near us, a developer wants to put in as many people as possible.

We have been fortunate that current Zoning laws in the Greater Fairpark area have kept this development restricted, and we can still enjoy our homes and neighborhoods. However, development is starting to spread its gaze here. churchscaledCurrently, the old 29th Ward church building on the corner of 400 North and 1100 West has stood vacant for many years. The LDS Church could not find a reasonable, affordable use for the building and deeded it to the City. Recently, the city Housing and Development agency held some meetings concerning the disposal of this property. It is listed as a City Historical Site, so there are limits as to what I can be used for. The Agency floated the concept of changing the Zoning on that parcel to make it more attractive for a buyer. This is a dangerous step, as once the Zoning has changed, (in this case, to a mixed-use residential and commercial use), anything that fits that zoning description could be built. The emphasis of the agency representatives seemed to be turning it into multi-family residences. The lot is so small that to make it cost effective, the homes would be multi-level and very small square footage (sound like high-density apartments?)

The general feeling of the residents attending the meeting was that other possibilities ought to be explored WITHOUT changing the zoning. There are certain variances that can be taken in using a Historic Building that would not require changing the zoning. Among those, using the building for a Professional Office, Arts Organization, Charter School, or something similar. The location is close enough to Downtown or I-15 to make it convenient for this type of use.

Why should we be concerned about it? Because once it is gone, it can’t be replaced. (Isn’t that the argument used by those who want Wilderness Areas and National Parks?) We live in a community that was built with families in mind, and for people who have long-term plans to stay in their homes here. There is nothing inherently wrong with rental units, but studies show that those who own and reside in their own homes have a greater interest in their communities and are more willing to work for the better good of the area. We must do all we can to preserve the quiet neighborhood we now enjoy.

It is important for any of us who have such long-term plans and a desire to 512px-Salt_Lake_City_and_County_Building_-_IMG_1751
keep our community “livable” to show interest in what is happening around us, and to become involved in any plans for the future. Before it is too late, let your voice be heard and let the City officials and developers know that this is a NICE neighborhood, and we want it to stay that way.

Roy Luker, Fairpark resident

Adopt-A-Spot: Beautifying Fairpark

Fairpark Community residents are participating in Salt Lake City’s Adopt-A-Spot Program, which is an Open Space Lands Program to allow Salt Lake citizens to show pride in the vibrant ecology of their city by stewarding a set location over the course of one year.”

20141011_140048The first Fairpark Adopt-A-spot event, held in October, was a great success! It was so fun to see people in our community out working hard to improve and protect our gorgeous open space along the Jordan River. We had a lot of positive feedback from people walking and riding bikes that day. A big shout out to Earl, Butch, Artis, Will, Rob & Friends, Mike, Romello & 20141011_133740Eddie!! Thank you so much!!


If you’d like to volunteer for future events please contact us. We would love to see you out there! Next event planned for November 29th. 11-1pm. Please contact Brook at
801-604-1895 to volunteer.20141011_133755

According to Amanda Anderson, Volunteer Services Coordinator for SLC:

Between January 1st and November 1st 2014:

125 Adopt-A-Spot volunteers gave 570 hours of service;

Over 550 gallons of trash, covering 5 miles of trail way and over 100 acres of open space area was collected;


One dozen park benches and one bridge were painted, seven trees planted , over 100 gallons of noxious plant species pulled and two trail way park areas were re-mulched .