Partnership Outlined for Creating Safe, Active, and Populated Pioneer Park

Today, in a bold step toward revitalizing one of Downtown’s most iconic public spaces, the SLC Downtown Alliance and Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall announced a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore the creation of a public-private partnership for managing Pioneer Park.

Under the MOU, the Alliance and City staff will develop legal structures, funding plans, and an operational framework for managing the park. 

The Alliance envisions staffed amenities, daily programming and a multi-purpose public building for community events. The Alliance’s uniformed Downtown Ambassadors would provide a visible, hospitable, daily presence in the park.

The proposed public market building would serve as a year-round home for the beloved weekly Downtown Farmers Market, other community events, private event rentals, and clean, attended public restrooms. Revenues generated from private event rentals would fund expanded park programming and operations.

“Our success programming in Pioneer Park is a model for creating a vibrant park every day of the week.,” said Dee Brewer, executive director of the Downtown Alliance. “Pioneer Park has endured a bad reputation for decades. We know we can change the chemistry of the park. We have done it every summer Saturday for 34 years with the Downtown Farmers Market. Pioneer Park is safe, active, and communal on market days. We are ready to build on that success to vitalize the park and the neighborhood.”

In addition to the public building, the Alliance proposes lawn games, cafe seating, a beverage bar, staffed restrooms. These complement Salt Lake City Public Land’s planned and funded upgrades to add a picnic pavilion, native landscaping, misting stations, updated playground, and new recreation elements. 

“A future where Pioneer Park is utilized to its full potential is a future where Salt Lakers feel more connected—to each other, to the outdoors, and to our community,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “This partnership with the Downtown Alliance builds on decades of success with the Farmers Market and opens the door to that aspiration. Combined with the Pioneer Park Vision Plan set to break ground this fall, there’s no doubt we’re stepping into a new era for one of our city’s most historic public spaces.”

The Downtown Alliance and Salt Lake City will continue public outreach and feasibility assessments through 2025. Results will be subject to public approvals including City Council review.