Salt Lake Residents Say Jordan River Trail Has Lost Its Former Appeal

The Taylor family, longtime residents of Rose Park, has lived near the Jordan River Trail since 1962. Once a peaceful place for families to walk and bike, they say the trail has changed—and they’re determined to make a difference.

Concerns about safety in the area have been growing, especially after Chelsey Taylor took to Facebook to express worries about her parents’ well-being. Her post sparked a larger discussion among community members, highlighting ongoing issues along the trail.

In response to rising crime and safety concerns, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall introduced a public safety and homelessness initiative in January aimed at addressing problem areas, including the Jordan River Trail.

“The situation is worse than many people realize,” Chelsey Taylor explained. “It’s not just about homelessness anymore—this has become an out-of-control issue.”

Her father, Andrew Taylor, recalls a time when the area felt completely different.

“It was never like this,” he said. “I used to sit on my porch, drink my coffee, and wave to families passing by. That’s not the case anymore.”

The Salt Lake City Police Department has increased patrols in the area over the past two weeks, but officials acknowledge that lasting solutions won’t happen overnight.

“We understand the community’s frustration,” said SLCPD Communications Director Brent Weisberg. “People deserve to feel safe, and we’re actively working on this issue every day.”

The conversation has also drawn perspectives from community advocates. Kate Jarman-Gates, who works with unsheltered individuals, believes addressing underlying trauma is key to making progress.

“We need to educate ourselves about trauma,” she said. “Instead of viewing homeless individuals as strangers, maybe we start seeing them as neighbors or friends in need of help.”

The Taylor family has reached out to Mayor Mendenhall and is hoping to set up a meeting to discuss possible solutions. They also want to hear from fellow Rose Park residents about additional ways to improve safety in their neighborhood.

“Our community deserves better,” said Chelsey Taylor. “It feels like Rose Park gets overlooked, and that needs to change.”

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keelee-mccain

Keelee McCain is a junior at Weber High School. This is her second year on staff, this year as Assistant to the Chief. She does have a life (probably) but she can't think of anything to write in here, so she's probably just going to ramble now. She has an orange cat who she likes better than any human. If you see her being quiet or not sitting on top of a desk, there is something very wrong. In her free time she enjoys harassing her favorite teachers and sleeping. Her life plans include making it through high school and leaving. Happy lifeing.