Salt Lake City has officially opened Glendale Park, its first new regional park in more than 60 years, transforming the former Raging Waters/Seven Peaks water park site into a community-centered public space. The long-awaited project replaces a once-abandoned property that had become a magnet for trespassing and crime, turning it into a vibrant hub for play, recreation and neighborhood connection.
The newly opened first phase of Glendale Park features an all-abilities playground with bright, multi-colored slides that subtly echo the water park’s past while serving a more inclusive future. Nearby, a full-size basketball court offers a dedicated space for pickup games and local leagues, while winding walking paths, shaded seating areas and tree-lined pockets invite residents of all ages to stroll, rest and gather. According to the Salt Lake City Public Lands Department, the 17-acre site is designed as a regional destination for the west side, filling a long-identified gap in park access for the Glendale neighborhood. slc.gov+1
At the grand opening, Project Manager Jon Ruedas with Salt Lake City Public Lands described the park as the result of years of planning and community partnership. He emphasized that the core vision of Glendale Park is rooted in equity and belonging: a place where residents can gather, play, reflect and feel a daily rhythm of neighborhood life. His remarks underscored how a once-fenced-off water park has been reimagined as open public land with amenities intentionally shaped by the people who live around it. slcdocs.com+1
The path to opening began after voters approved an $85 million bond in November 2022 to support parks and public lands projects citywide. Following that approval, the Salt Lake City Council unanimously backed the Glendale Park redevelopment, and detailed planning launched in 2023. City staff and design teams held surveys, open houses and community meetings to understand what neighbors wanted most from the site. Residents consistently asked for safe play areas, shade, walking connections and spaces that reflected the character of the west side, and those priorities are clearly visible in the finished first-phase design. slcdocs.com+1
Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall has called the project a cornerstone of the city’s broader effort to invest in historically underserved neighborhoods. At the opening, she highlighted how the park not only provides recreation, but also supports environmental goals along the Jordan River corridor. Phase one incorporates native landscaping, improved access routes and view corridors that reconnect residents to the river, aligning with citywide plans to boost safety, ecology and public use along the waterway. slc.gov+1
Looking ahead, Glendale Park is far from finished. Phase two construction is expected to begin in late 2026 and will significantly expand the park’s offerings. Current plans include a skate ribbon that can be used for ice skating in winter and roller skating in warmer months, a new skate park, a sledding hill, native plant gardens and a small performance stage designed for concerts, festivals and community events. Future work will also enhance Jordan River access with new boardwalks and viewing areas, giving visitors more direct and safer ways to interact with the river environment. sustainablesites.org+1
For Glendale residents, the opening of Glendale Park marks a major shift: a former decaying attraction has become an anchor of public life on the west side. With kids filling the playground, neighbors walking shaded paths and local teams already eyeing the basketball court, the park’s first phase is doing exactly what it was designed to do bringing people together and proving that long-promised investments in public spaces can indeed become reality.
Glendale Park Opens as Salt Lake City’s First New Regional Park in Decades
