Update: October 13, 2023
The city allocated $90K to the Springville Dry Creek project this year! Some neighbors and I met with the city who informed us of the difficulties with water (should we bury the creek or not? How usable is the existing sprinkler system?) and their concern about “the trail that leads nowhere.” They are working to connect the Dry Creek Trail to Kelvin Grove Park. However, we also suggested the Clyde Recreation Center as a simple destination for the Dry Creek Trail.
While there are still kinks to work through, we are excited that the city is getting started!
Below are the preliminary plans (changes are expected) for the entirety of the project.
Update: November 30, 2022
Stacey Child (The Parks and Rec director) is meeting this week with the designer for the Riverwalk project along 100 South. She wants to see how this designer does on Riverwalk and if she likes what he’s done, she will talk to him about the Dry Creek Trail to see if he is willing and able to tackle this project.
From Council Member Michael Snelson: “In terms of getting Dry Creek restoration into the 2023-2024 budget, that will depend on what happens with the consultant and how the plans play out. I am not hopeful that funding to start the restoration part of the project will be in this coming year’s budget simply because we don’t have a plan yet.
If the Riverwalk designer can do Dry Creek and can give us at least a rough idea of what the restoration project would cost before the budget is set, we might be able to start budgeting funds for it. Part of it could come from PAR tax funds depending on the PAR Board’s allocation advice and the council’s taste for budgeting for it. (Council Member) Chris (Sorenson) and I would certainly be in favor of allocating funds and would push to start the process. All that being said, we need a plan before we can budget anything.“
So, things are happening. But slowly.
Update: September 12, 2022
Our community gathered together on the National Day of Service to pull weeds and lay bark along the Dry Creek Trail and city-owned land. Because of the neglect of this area, puncture vines crawl along the sidewalks and trails preventing access and causing harm to tires, people, and animals – it is not easy to pull these painful, prevalent weeds out of the dry ground and it took hours of labor, but together we were able to clear two sections of the trail.
I was amazed by the beauty of volunteers talking and working together for our community spaces. Thank you to the Dry Creek Stake Relief Society presidency for organizing and accomplishing the project and thank you to all who gave their time and tools, trucks and sweat, blisters and painful pokes to help make the Dry Creek Trail safer for everyone.
Update: August 30, 2022
The budget amendment to finance the Dry Creek Trail study passed on August 2nd! At this point, David Ashton (dashton@springville.org) is working up an RFP (request for proposal) to send out to prospective designers. Once a designer is selected there will be public outreach meetings for the community to attend and become more involved in the process. Things are moving forward with the Dry Creek Trail Project!
June 25, 2022
Our Dry Creek Trail located on the southwest side of Springville City has the potential to become a space that captures the beauty of the incredible, welcoming, and kind people in the Dry Creek Area – something that will last long after we are gone; a space for generations of Springvillians to feel gratitude and belonging. An inclusive place to reflect and enjoy native plants and flowers, shade, pathways to explore, hidden treasures to discover, inspirational quotes, and beautiful spaces all year round to unify our community from years of isolation. We believe that nature has a magical way of healing us.
The Springville Parks, Arts, and Recreation Board recently voted to line item the Dry Creek Trail into next year’s budget (which begins on July 1, 2022). The sum allocated to the Dry Creek Trail is enough to hire a specialist to assess the land and create a plan. This is thrilling news! Many residents in the Dry Creek Area have been begging for attention on the Dry Creek Trail for over ten years and now the Dry Creek Trail is a priority for the city council! Hallelujah! The Dry Creek line item will be discussed in the council meeting on, I think, July 19th at 7:00 in the Civic Center.
The next steps require community involvement, city support, and a lot more funding. Staying involved in the process of the Dry Creek Trail Project will ensure that the Dry Creek Trail becomes a magical space, the heart of our community. We have come this far because we work together, show up for each other, share creative ideas, and do not give up.
Here are ideas from the community for the Dry Creek Trail Project given to the PAR Board and city council:
The Springville Parks and Rec Director is Stacey Child (schild@springville.org).
