New park ranger program kicks off in Salt Lake City

SALT LAKE CITY — Park rangers will now be serving those who visit Salt Lake City’s public spaces and parks. This is part of a new park ranger program designed to strengthen the visitor experience in the public spaces of the city.

On Wednesday, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and City Council Chair Dan Dugan introduced the new rangers to the public at the International Peace Gardens.

The park ranger program

The park rangers serve one purpose. They are to make sure parks, trails and natural areas in the city are places visitors will come back to visit again.

“Park rangers are iconic additions to parks the world over and I’ve felt for a long time that Salt Lake City’s remarkable open spaces deserve such a program. I’m proud to welcome our very own team of individuals whose love for our outdoor areas is contagious,” Mendenhall said in a news release. “It’s a thrill to see this project, which I’ve dreamed of for years, come to fruition.” 

The rangers will be stationed out of four hubs. Those hubs are Fairmont Park, Jordan Park, Liberty Park and Pioneer Park. Additionally, rangers will also be stationed at the Foothills Trail system later this year. 

According to the news release, when it’s fully staffed, the program will have 18 rangers. In addition, there will also be a supervisor, a manager, and an office facilitator. The funding for the program is through the general fund of Salt Lake City.

The park rangers will have a close, working relationship with Salt Lake City Police, according to the news release. The rangers have been trained on how to identify possible situations, and how to involve police when necessary. However, the rangers are not police officers, and will not enforce ordinances or laws. They will encourage individuals to comply on their own through education.

To learn more about the Salt Lake City Park Rangers program, click here. 

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