Jordan River

As the easternmost boundary of West Valley City, the Jordan River is great resource for our community. I currently serve as a co-chair of a intergovernmental committee that is exploring options to enhance and preserve the Jordan River by bringing the various government entities to a common table. Recently the following editorial, written by myself and fellow co-chairs of the committee, was published in the Salt Lake Tribune:

Courage, collaboration are keys to Jordan River's future

By Jenny Wilson, Corey Rushton, Chris Mccandless

Sarah and Michelle are neighbors in a growing Salt Lake County neighborhood. Most early summer mornings, long before their families have stirred, the two friends head to the Jordan River Parkway. It's their place for an hour of uninterrupted power walking.

"It's so quiet in the morning, and so beautiful," says Sarah. With no cars to worry about, Michelle adds, she can enjoy the sunrise and watch the rippling of the Jordan River's quiet current. "Awesome," she says.

While the women walk, a stream of joggers passes by. An occasional bicyclist rolls along. All offer living proof of the passion Utahns have for the Jordan River. Wending its way from Utah Lake on the south to the Great Salt Lake on the north, the Jordan shows promise as a prime urban waterway -- easy to reach, easy to use and easy to love.

This is why Envision Utah, elected officials and interested citizens remain committed to the discussion, careful planning and compromises involved in implementing Blueprint Jordan River, last year's extensive public process to create a common vision for the river corridor's future and improve it in ways that will benefit all residents.

Based on the ideas of more than 2,000 Utah residents who attended a series of community forums, the blueprint offers an inspiring vision for the Jordan: one of the largest urban wildlife corridors in the country; a completed Jordan River Parkway; designation of recreational facilities, including, potentially, a whitewater kayaking course and equestrian area; and redevelopment of blighted sections into lively neighborhood centers.

Realizing this vision would put river partners Davis, Salt Lake and Utah counties on par with other communities that have turned urban rivers into beloved destination spots. Think of San Antonio's Riverwalk, the South Platte in Denver or, just a few hours to our north, the greenbelt along the Boise River.

Just imagine the Jordan's bright future.

Some time has passed since Envision Utah released the Blueprint Jordan River report (highlights of which you can find at www.envisionutah.org), but the project is rolling along. For the past six months, elected officials from the 18 jurisdictions along the river and other community leaders have met regularly to craft an appropriate governing mechanism for the project that will ensure improved coordination, local control, community involvement and dedicated funding.

Over the past four decades, previous efforts to reclaim the Jordan have foundered because they failed adequately to include elected leaders with the authority to push the projects through. Further, there was no dependable funding mechanism up front. Finally, past efforts allowed for parochial concerns and piecemeal thinking to derail a chance to accomplish something truly great for this region.

Fourteen communities along the river have adopted resolutions supporting the Jordan River Blueprint and others are in the process of doing so. And while officials are wise in raising a tough recession as an issue in funding the blueprint, it must be underscored that this is a long-term project with an eye fixed on a recovering economy.

A vibrant Jordan River corridor will give residents a place to enjoy the outdoors with family, create opportunities for education about nature and improve water quality on the river and at the Great Salt Lake. Improvements will raise property values and attract tourists and new businesses. All of this can be done thoughtfully and while keeping benefits to the entire region in mind.

This is the best opportunity ever to turn the long-held vision of the Jordan River's promise into reality. It's time for citizens and elected officials to make it happen.