The Old Mill Park
One of the last remaining pristine natural landscapes in Salt Lake is a lovely little canyon in Cottonwood Heights better known as The Old Mill Area! Cottonwood Heights Historic Committee has created a lovely walking trail, with markers all along the way, designating historic sites and telling the history of the area. The trail ends at the county’s pond with a charming wooden footbridge and a parking area with a flag waving over the area.
Sadly, the park does not currently include The Old Mill, or the beautiful natural area next to the trail, all of which may soon be destroyed by developers! I hope that we as a community will work together to preserve The Old Mill and the natural areas along The Old Mill Park Trail at 6708 S. Big Cottonwood Rd., as a lasting legacy for the Salt Lake Area, and a gathering place for families.
Currently The Old Mill Park is a two-mile paved walking trail. The trail winds along Big Cottonwood Creek, which once supplied power for The Deseret News Paper Mill, a grand and impressive example of classical architecture, designed by the famous architect of The Historic Tabernacle on Temple Square, Henry Grow.
The Old Mill Park and Big Cottonwood Creek Canyon are a unique open space! With beautiful shade trees and spring flowers, the canyon trail blends recreation and history into one beautiful setting. At its center standsThe Old Mill, the focal point of the trail. Like The Ruins of Rome, The Old Mill provides the historical ambience and perfect backdrop for expanding the trail into a real park. Add an outdoor amphitheatre, a children’s playground, a fishing and canoeing pond, and The Old Mill Area would become a wonderful family-friendly park and place for friends to gather.
The Old Deseret Paper Mill is the last remaining historic site along the trail, and one of the last historic treasure in in Utah! I hope we can preserve The Old Mill, along with its natural canyon setting, as a lasting legacy for families to enjoy!