GREENbike Program

Ever wanted to take a bike ride, either around town or to easily navigate from place to place downtown, but either did not have your own bike or it was inoperable at the moment? Enter GREENbike, Salt Lake City’s bike share program!

GREENbike started in Salt Lake City in 2013. In the first 3 seasons the service shut down for the winter, starting in December and reopening again in March or April of the following year. In 2016, however, the bike share stayed open year-round, much to the delight of GREENbike members and enthusiasts.

How do you use GREENbike? For annual members with a GREENbike card (issued in the mail after signing up online), just go to the dock of the bike you want, press the metal button, wait for the lights to activate, tap your card at the designated area, and the bike will release. For non-annual members, simply proceed to the station kiosk and follow the instructions on the screen, having your debit/credit card ready to swipe when asked. It’s that easy!

What does GREENbike cost? Passes are available for 24 hours ($7) 4 days ($15) or annually ($75 or $56 for select groups, see www.slcbikeshare.org for details). You must use your debit/credit card to access GREENbike. You can purchase a 24-hour pass at the kiosk at any GREENbike station. Annual and 4-day passes are purchased online at www.slcbikeshare.org.

Annual members are eligible for rides of up to an hour at a time. If you exceeed one hour on a single check-out you are subject to extra fees that are charged to the card on your profile. For 24-hour or 4-day pass holders, checkouts last up to 30 minutes, after which overage fees will apply. Don’t let the checkout time limits discourage you though, since you get unlimited checkouts within the timeframe of your pass. Just be sure to check your GREENbike in at any station before the checkout period ends, then feel free to check it back out to get the clock restarted on a new checkout period.

There are 20 GREENbike stations in Salt Lake City, the nearest ones to the Fairpark area are located at North Temple just west of 600 West, and at the North Temple FrontRunner station underneath the viaduct. Stations are sprinkled throughout the downtown area, going as far south and east as Trolley Square.

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Get a HAND up from Salt Lake City

The city of Salt Lake has several programs to help residents buy or fix their homes. So long as the property is within the Salt Lake City limits, lower income residents can benefit. Run by Housing and Neighborhood Development, there are two main programs Fairpark residents can put to use.

For existing homeowners, repair options are available. Older and disabled homeowners who make less than 80% of the area median income can qualify for free, minor home repairs through the handyman program. Regardless of age or ability, so long as you make less than 80% AMI, homeowners can benefit from the Home Repair Program. This is a low interest loan that may have deferred payments to help improve a property.

Prospective homeowners can make their monthly payments more affordable through the Welcome Home SLC loan program. This lending program doesn’t require a down payment or mortgage insurance which can save hundreds of dollars a month. It also has a low interest rate of only 3% allowing people with smaller incomes to still buy a home. Buyers need $1,000 of their own money for closing costs and a 620 credit score to qualify.

To get more information on these programs and to apply, visit http://www.slcgov.com/hand/housing-programs or call 801-535-7228.

Pedal in the City Meets Education Corner: Bike Utah Visits Backman Elementary School

Learning continued right up to the last ring of the bell for 5th and 6th grade students at Backman Elementary School, May 30-June 2. Bike Utah came to Backman as part of its Youth B.E.S.T. Program.

Bike Utah has launched the Youth Bicycle Education and Safety Training Program to teach 3,000+ kids in Utah how to safely and confidently navigate by bicycle. Imagine that — 3,000 of Utah’s youth who want to ride and have the skills to do so!

The Youth Bicycle Education and Safety Training is a 5-hour, on-bike program that is administered at schools, targeting students in the 4th to 7th grade range. Bike Utah provides a trained instructor, bicycles, helmets, and all other equipment for the duration of the program. The program has the capacity to move around the state so it can be administered at schools in all corners of Utah, depending on the season. This is a no-cost program so every school and student can participate regardless of financial ability.

Through this program, students learn the benefits of riding a bicycle, the rules for riding on the road, and how to get a properly fit helmet, conduct bicycle checks, navigate intersections and avoid hazards. Fairpark residents witnessed the program in action this month and saw some very happy young students riding around the school grounds and on the Jordan River Parkway Trail.

Visit Bike Utah at their web site or Facebook page to learn more about the programs they offer and other events at: https://bikeutah.org/get-involved-2/youth-bicycle-education-program/

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300 North Bridge Planning a GO!

Part of living on the West side of Salt Lake is the risk of being delayed by trains if you’re heading east. Frontrunner is just a short delay, while freight trains can be
a huge unknown. If you’re on a tight deadline for work or school, taking a road with a bridge is an absolute necessity!
For students attending West High school, avoiding the train on the 300 North crossing is an inconvenient detour to North Temple. This has been true for every
West High student to date. But in just a couple years, this headache and safety hazard will be over.In coordination with Salt Lake City, UTA has secured Federal grant money to fund a pedestrian and cycling bridge to traverse the 300 North rail line. Plans for a final design are being decided right now. You can supply your input and get project updates at

http://www.slcgov.com/transportation/300NorthBridge.

Besides providing a safe crossing for pedestrians and cyclists in the area, the bridge will have art and a contemporary design to bring a little bit more flair to
the neighborhood.
While part of a series of projects secured by the umbrella grant, it is required to be completed within five years. Salt Lake City transportation planner Collin
Quinn-Hurst says it’s one of several top projects on the list.

How You Can Be Involved
•   Tell Salt Lake City your experiences with this location
•   Participate in the design process
•   Invite your neighbors
•    Educate Salt Lake City about your neighborhood needs
•   Learn about the project
•   Sign up for updates

Utah State Fairpark Brings the Heat (and the BBQ) for Summer

The Utah State Fairpark and the Fairpark Community Council are very excited to announce that “Best of Utah” BBQ winner, Pat’s BBQ, is opening a location directly on the fairgrounds! Pat’s has also been featured on Food Network’s
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives! This location is currently renovating what is now known as the food court, and will be open regular hours starting July 12, 2017.

Pat Barber, the owner, is thrilled about this new space. He is looking forward to getting to know his new neighbors, incorporating what this incredible community has to offer, and taking advantage of the amazing space and opportunities available at the fairgrounds. He hopes to create a lively and thriving gathering place for the neighborhood and the state by offering frequent live music and many special planned
events (and possible expansion!). Keep your eyes peeled on their website to see what’s in the works at www.patsbbq.com.
Or, Pat would love it if you just asked him! Access to this new location is a breeze, as you will be able to drive right into the Utah State Fairpark and park directly
next to the building. So please stop by and give our new neighbor a hearty welcome this summer while enjoying the best BBQ in the city, live blues music and sunshine, or the covered patio! Pat and his crew can’t wait to meet you. This location is also hiring for all staff positions. If interested, please visit their website (listed above) and give them a call.

In addition to welcoming Pat’s BBQ as a permanent resident to the fairgrounds, the Utah State Fairpark has some awesome events planned for summer 2017. For additional details about events listed, please visit the accompanying
websites.

July 1 – Bubble Run: http://bubblerun.com
July 13-16 – BMW MOA International Rally (set up starts the7th): http://www.bmwmoa.org/page/rally2017
July 19: Grand opening of new the arena with special performances planned. Reserved seats only, and seats are still available: http://www.daysof47.com
July 19-24 – Days of ’47. Frontier Zone open every day from
noon until 10pm, and open 11am on weekends and the holiday. Rodeo starts at 8pm every night except Sundays. Visit their website for full details and of additional events: http:// www.daysof47.com/#events
August: Two separate musical acts planned to perform in the
new arena this month. Stay tuned for more details!
September 7-17 – Utah State Fair
The Utah State Fairpark also wishes to announce that UTA will no longer be using a lot on the fairgrounds for parking purposes. For news and updates
on the Utah State Fairpark, visit http://www.utahstatefairpark.com.

Fireworks in July

With Independence Day and Pioneer Day festivities in July, here are the restrictions on fireworks for Fairpark residents. Fireworks are allowed July 1-7 and July
21-27 from 11 AM to 11 PM, with fireworks allowed until midnight on the night of the 4th and the 24th.

Be sure to place your used fireworks in a bucket of water for at least 12 hours before throwing them away. Parents are encouraged to supervise children when using fireworks. Keep a 30-foot clearance in all directions from fireworks.
If a firework does not light, do not attempt to re-light the firework or put it in your water bucket—let it sit for an extended period before going near it.

Meet Our New Board: Marin Christensen

This month’s featured Board member is Marin Christensen.(Click her name to read full bio.)

Marin serves as an At-Large Board Member. She is a Research Associate at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute and has Master of Science in Human Development and Social Policy. Marin is a member of the Utah League of Women Voters. She is looking forward to getting to know Fairpark residents better and working with the Community Council.

I grew up on the east side of Salt Lake City, and lived in Boston for nine years after graduating high school. When I moved back home, I fell in love with the Fairpark neighborhood, an area I never knew existed growing up; I had never really ventured north of North Temple. I found and explored the neighborhood on a bike ride one day and knew I’d end up living here. I have called it home since 2012.

Welcome Marin!

Meet our new Board

The new Fairpark Community Council Board was elected at the Annual Meeting in April. This process takes place every two years.

The Board has 17 members which comprise the Executive Committee: Chair, first and second Vice-Chairs, Secretary and Treasurer. The remaining members serve as “at-large” members. All Board members serve in a variety of capacities.

Each month we will feature a Board member to help our community learn to know them a little better.

You can view the list of Board members and bios here.

Second Annual Fairpark Festival of Spring Huge Success

Gardeners from all over our community, as well as from surrounding areas flocked to the event on a cool spring day. There were over 300 people who attended, and the Plant Sale sold almost 2,000 plants during the four-hour Festival. Although some needed sweaters on the cool day, the weather didn’t stop hundreds from visiting the various tables. Salt Lake County Recreation, Lead Safe Housing Program,
Jackson Elementary and Utah Department of Health Safe Kids Injury Prevention Program all provided outreach and education materials for the Festival.

Because of the enthusiasm and support for this year’s event, organizers are in the process of planning another complimentary event this fall. The current plans for the event will include a workshop for grafting fruit trees, a seed, bulb and scion wood exchange, a cold frame workshop and a garden veggie based potluck! See fairparkcommunity.org for more information.

Renaming Jackson Elementary

Thank you to all the community members that have contributed to the discussion surrounding the renaming of Jackson Elementary. At this point, Jackson’s School Community Council has approved the formation of a committee to rename or rededicate Jackson Elementary. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Jana Edward directly at jana.edward@slcschools.org or by calling the school at 801-578- 8165.