This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I am a frequent visitor to the Jordan River Parkway Trail that runs north of 1700 North and Redwood Road. I was recently saddened by the city's destruction in "restoring" the parkway. Crews removed 75 to 100 trees in an effort to restore the trail and replaced them with some type of fabric to prevent erosion.
In Webster's Dictionary the word restore means "to bring back to a former or original condition." This may be river maintenance, but it sure looks like destruction to me.
I am concerned for the animals that use this natural area as their home.
As a teacher, I consider this a place where children can experience the habitats, plants and animals that are found in Utah. The parkway trail has afforded many others and me the opportunity to experience the deer, foxes, skunks, beaver, hawks and waterfowl that live here, along with the plants that create areas for them to hide and seek refuge from the summer sun and winter cold.
The city needs to be careful what it deems restoration, before it restores it all away and nothing is left but a paved trail.
Connie Sturzenegger
Salt Lake City