Millcreek residents will decide Nov. 3 whether to approve up to $128 million in Salt Lake County bonds for parks, trails and recreation facilities across the county.

The Recreation General Obligation Bond would fund 30 projects, according to ABC4. The county says the bond would not raise property taxes because it replaces debt from a 2016 recreation bond that is nearly paid off. On a primary residence valued at the county average of $658,000, the annual property tax for debt service stays at $16.39, or about $1.37 a month, according to the county's bond page.

That $0-increase claim covers only debt payments. The county projects an additional $4.7 million a year in maintenance and operations costs for the new facilities over their first decade. Whether that triggers a tax increase or budget cuts will be decided in future budget cycles, the county stated.

What the money would fund

The bond targets 30 projects in three categories, according to advisory board meeting minutes from June 5. Forty percent goes to repairing existing facilities. Thirty percent finishes projects already underway. The remaining 30% funds new construction.

Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation Director Chris Otto told the Recreation Bond Advisory Board at its June 12 meeting that the county faces approximately $160 million in deferred maintenance across its system. Community Services Director Robin Chalhoub told the same board that the county's annual Tourism, Recreation, Cultural, and Convention fund covers only about $10 million across all parks, recreation, arts, culture and planetarium assets.

The county operates 42 regional parks, 24 neighborhood parks, 350 miles of trails and 21 recreation and aquatic centers, according to its 2023 annual report.

How projects were chosen

The Salt Lake County Council approved the Parks, Open Space, and Recreation Plan on April 14, setting the framework for the bond. Municipalities then submitted proposals through an open application. A 13-member Recreation Bond Advisory Board, including four mayors and three community members at large, prioritized the list before the council approved the final slate.

Among the projects that cleared eligibility review: a Salt Lake City all-abilities playground, recreation centers in Midvale and West Jordan, and a West Valley City baseball field expansion. State law requires the county to hold an ownership interest in every bond-funded project.

No Millcreek-specific projects were identified in the available project summaries. Residents can review the full 30-project list and cost estimates at slco.to/rec-bond.

Previous recreation bonds

Salt Lake County voters approved similar recreation bonds in 1996, 2006 and 2016. Community surveys conducted in 2021 and 2024 showed consistent demand for trails, green space, natural playgrounds and pools, according to advisory board meeting minutes.

The county projects 400,000 additional residents by 2060, concentrated in the southwest valley.

In her January 2023 State of the County address, Mayor Jenny Wilson framed the tension between growth and green space. "We can always build another building, but every time we do, it's less open space for us to enjoy …" Wilson said.

The Nov. 3 election is the deadline for voters to weigh in. Bond details and the full project list are at slco.to/rec-bond.

Upcoming community dates

  • Nov. 3 — General election, including the $128M recreation bond vote
  • Millcreek senior centers — Candidate forums are underway ahead of the election, as we reported Oct. 8