<Recreation@saltlakecounty.gov>
Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation; Attention: PLANNING Committee
2001 South State Street; Ste S4-700
Salt Lake City, Utah 84190
Salt Lake County Parks & Rec Planning:
I would like to respectfully propose that The Old Mill Park be expanded to include the Old Mill and its surrounding area, the area next to the trail, and the water retention pond.
The Old Mill Park area is one of the few remaining pristine natural areas left within the city. Its trail has already been well developed by Parks & Rec, with “information plaques narrating the early settlement history of the area, including the history of the adjacent Cottonwood Paper Mill.”
The Old Mill is known and loved throughout the county. It is a “unique open space area, blending recreation and history into one beautiful setting.” With its “beautiful shade trees and spring flowers, The Old Mill area would be the perfect location for creating a large gathering place for families.
The Ruins of The Old Mill, just like the Ruins of Rome, could initially be minimally cleaned up and used as a backdrop the park. It would be the perfect location for an outdoor community amphitheater or a children’s playground. Eventually, it could potentially be re-purposed as a venue for community events, classes, entertainment, community theatre, or a senior center.
The area next to Big Cottonwood Creek would make a wonderful picnic area for families if there were picnic tables and perhaps a few larger group pavilions, and minimal landscaping.
The retention pond with its “charming footbridge” which creates a natural path around pond would complete this wonderful recreation area where parents could bring their children to fish, canoe, or paddle boat. There is already a parking lot with a flagpole. If the water level of the pond could be maintained at a consistent level, and the area landscaped, families would delight in coming to the Old Mill Pond.
I hope that Parks & Rec will “weigh in” quickly on the possibility of creating a park with the beloved Old Mill as the backdrop. Neighbors and people throughout Utah are extremely concerned and want to save The Old Mill and the beautiful natural area of the canyon. Over 1600 people throughout the area have signed a petition to Save the Old Mill on Change.org, and all of the neighbors in the canyon have signed a hard-copy petition. We have all come to love and enjoy The Old Mill area as a place where folks can take a lovely walk or bike ride and enjoy being in nature.
November 14 a Hearing Officer from the County will be rule on an appeal by the owners of the property, requesting that the Cottonwood Heights’ Ordinance be waved, which mandates 12 months of public discussion before demolishing the Old Mill. If the Hearing Officer rules in favor of the appeal, The Old Mill could be demolished within 30 days. On the other hand, the owners have a agreed to deed over the Old Mill, if the county would be willing to do something with the area.
I hope that Parks & Rec will move forward with working together with Cottonwood Heights to create a new park at The Old Mill, expand CH’s current Old Mill Park to include the adjoining property along the trail, and join it all together with the county’s flood control basin to create a wonderful gathering spot for families to enjoy. People throughout Utah will thank you. By all working together, I know we can save one of Utah’s historic treasures, The Historic Old Mill.