Park Ranger Safety and Educational Programming Survey

Overview

The 2025 Park Ranger Safety and Educational Programming Survey reveals a continued need to improve perceptions of public safety in Salt Lake City parks and trails. While there are signs of progress since 2023, particularly in ranger-led educational programming and visibility, public concerns remain high around homelessness, drug use, and off-leash dogs.

This year’s survey, with over 200 responses, provides a more robust dataset than the 2023 version. The findings reinforce the need for a more visible and proactive ranger presence, stronger interagency coordination, and expanded community engagement through education and volunteerism.

Purpose and Methods

The survey was designed to assess:

• Public perception of safety in Salt Lake City parks and trails
• The perceived impact of the Park Ranger Program on safety
• Desired educational and interpretive programming

The survey was distributed citywide via social media, email newsletters, QR codes in parks, and community events between October 27 to November 17, 2025. It included Likert-scale safety ratings, multiple-choice questions on programming, and open-ended prompts for qualitative feedback. While still not a scientific sample, the response volume and diversity of input provide meaningful insights.

Generative AI was used to conduct analysis for this report.

Public Safety

Perception of Safety:

• 56% of respondents rated parks as “safe” or “very safe”
• 37% rated them “unsafe” or “very unsafe”
• The remaining 7% were neutral

Top Safety Concerns:

Homeless Encampments and Drug Use

• Mentioned in over 60% of open-ended responses
• Associated with feelings of unpredictability, visible drug use, and unsanitary conditions
• Jordan River Trail, Pioneer Park, and Liberty Park were most frequently cited

Off-Leash Dogs

• Second most common concern
• Reports of dog aggression, conflicts with leashed pets, and lack of enforcement
• Liberty Park and Foothills Trail System were frequently mentioned

Lighting and Visibility

• Poor lighting in parks like Jordan River Trail, Cottonwood Park, and Herman Franks Park was cited as a deterrent to early morning or evening use

Ranger Presence

• Respondents who had interacted with rangers were significantly more likely to report feeling safe
• Many noted they “rarely” or “never” see rangers in parks, especially in high-need areas

Impact of the Park Ranger Program on Safety:

• 42% said the program improves their sense of safety
• 36% said it makes no difference
• 22% said it makes them feel less safe or is ineffective

Education

Educational programming continues to be a bright spot for the Park Ranger Program. Respondents expressed strong interest in nature-based and community-building activities.

Top Requested Programs:

1. Volunteer Cleanups (28 requests)
2. Plant and Animal Identification (24)
3. Nature Walks (20)
4. Historical Tours (20)
5. Outdoor Skill Instruction (18)
6. Pet-Friendly Park Experiences (14)
7. Reading to Kids (6)
8. Other (3)

Respondents praised events like Bark Ranger, cloud watching, and wildflower walks. Several requested more frequent and better-publicized programming, especially for families and school groups.

Park Use and Area-Specific Insights

Most Visited Parks:

• Liberty Park (65 responses)
• Foothills Trail System (31)
• Jordan River Trail (24)

Highest User Safety Rating:

• Parley’s Historic Nature Park: Highest user safety rating (92% safe)
• Memory Grove (81% safe)
• Herman Franks Park (77% safe)

Lowest User Safety Rating:

• Cottonwood Park: Lowest user safety rating (70% unsafe)
• Pioneer Park (59% unsafe)
• Jordan River Trail (56% unsafe)

Notable Trends:

• Respondents who frequent less-used parks often cited lighting, loitering, and lack of ranger presence as concerns
• Several respondents noted that while they support the idea of rangers, they feel the program lacks enforcement power or visibility

Recommendations Going Forward

1. Increase Ranger Visibility and Coverage

• Prioritize high-need areas like Jordan River Trail, Pioneer Park, and Liberty Park
• Conduct more tabling or stationary education stations in high-profile areas
• Publish a visible ranger schedule or map to increase public awareness

2. Strengthen Interagency Coordination

• Continue building relationships with SLCPD Green Space Squad and Salt Lake County Animal Services
• Develop a shared reporting protocol for safety and ordinance violations
• Clarify ranger roles to the public to manage expectations

3. Address Homelessness with Compassion and Clarity

• Continue refining talking points and training on homelessness
• Collaborate with city outreach teams to provide services and reduce encampments
• Consider signage or messaging that explains city policy and available resources

4. Improve Trail and Park Infrastructure

• Prioritize lighting upgrades in poorly lit parks and trails
• Use temporary signage to acknowledge maintenance issues and show responsiveness
• Explore emergency call boxes or QR-based reporting tools in high-traffic areas

5. Expand and Promote Interpretive Programming

• Scale up successful programs and accentuate interpretive messaging
• Partner with schools and libraries for youth-focused events
• Use social media, signage, and community boards to promote events more widely

6. Enhance Community Engagement

• Find more opportunities for engagement, such as listening sessions in different districts
• Explore ways to involve volunteers, such as a “Park Safety Ambassadors” initiative

Publicize the quarterly “Ranger Report” summarizing patrols, events, and improvements

Conclusion

The 2025 survey confirms that while the Park Ranger Program is appreciated, it must evolve to meet the public’s expectations for safety and engagement. By increasing visibility, improving coordination, and expanding educational offerings, the program can become a cornerstone of Salt Lake City’s public lands strategy.