Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. —Norman Mclean

In a bustling suburban city of 60,000 people and 1,000 businesses, it is easy to find quiet respite in Taylorsville. All you need do is take a walk down by the banks of the Jordan River to soak in the sounds of the calm water babbling by, the birds happily warbling and the quiet serenity of nature tucked a world apart from the busy day-to-day.

“It is truly a gem in our city,” said Mayor Kristie Overson. “It is such a wonderful place — a relief, a beautiful reprieve of serenity and peace.”

The Jordan River flows over 50 miles from Utah Lake north to the Great Salt Lake wetlands, according to the Jordan River Foundation, a nonprofit organization established in 1979 to assist state and local government in establishing a public parkway along the river. The headwaters at Utah Lake along with springs and mountain tributaries feed the river throughout its corridor. The river flows through Utah, Salt Lake and Davis counties, and 15 cities.

Recognizing this invaluable asset, Taylorsville leaders have made the city’s portion of the Jordan River, including cleanup and preservation, a priority.

They have been working with multiple stakeholders to secure resources and stress its importance, to improve the environment and make the river parkway even better.

With assistance from Salt Lake County, the city has led large clean-up efforts along its banks, including grading, trash removal, clearing invasive weeds from the area and pruning overgrown vegetation. The city also has worked with private property owners to remove grass and rubbish and open up the space that borders the river parkway.

Volunteers have focused efforts on making the river an inviting place. The Taylorsville Youth Council alone, planted 60 oak trees at Little Confluence Park, and the Taylorsville Parks and Recreation Committee, as well as city employees who volunteered with ChamberWest, all recently worked to plant dozens more. In addition, Taylorsville leaders are supporting efforts by Salt Lake County to build a new regional Jordan River Park that will include Tracy Aviary, and the city has secured funding from the Utah Legislature for additional river improvements and cleanup.

“We’ve made amazing progress,” Mayor Overson said. “It is our goal to be very proactive along the Parkway. I invite you to walk down there and see how it’s been opened up with the grading and clearing of invasive weeds — to actually walk it and see all the land and habitat. It’s amazing, just amazing.”

The city continues to meet with private property owners and maintains a positive, open dialogue regarding ongoing cleanup.

Recent efforts have focused particularly along the river at about 4100 South. Salt Lake County and the Jordan River Foundation also have spearheaded several projects to improve the Jordan River area.

Among them is the Redwood Nature Area & Little Confluence project comprising 80 acres. The $550,000-project has removed invasive species, restored wetlands, reseeded areas with native vegetation, planted trees, and installed trailhead parking, trails, and interpretive signage. Additionally, the foundation’s partnering governmental agency, the Jordan River Commission, is working to implement its Blueprint Jordan River, a regional vision produced with the input of thousands of Wasatch Front residents and community leaders.

“With the many people and organizations all working together toward one common purpose, there is nothing we can’t do,” Mayor Overson said, “and the betterment of the Jordan River is such a worthy goal. It is critical that we preserve and protect this important corridor as the priceless community resource it is.”

For its part, the Taylorsville Police Department regularly patrols the parkway and river area, and the state Health Department has periodically provided resources for cleanup and signage, with reminders about the prohibition of camping along the river.

“As we continue to focus on the Jordan River, it is my hope that even more people discover this cherished ribbon that runs through our Taylorsville home,” Mayor Overson said.