Escape The Utah Summer Heat At The Green, Shady Memory Grove Park
By Catherine Armstrong|Published July 17, 2020
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
One of the very best things about Utah is our immediate access to incredible scenic beauty. Even residents in the Beehive State’s largest city are just minutes away from beautiful parks and canyons.
Memory Grove Park is right next to the State Capital, and it’s a green, shady park that offers respite from the sun on a hot day. It’s also right at the mouth of a canyon that provides even more recreation. Take a look:
Residents and visitors to Salt Lake City will enjoy a summer afternoon at Memory Grove Park. It's right next door to the State Capitol Building, at 300 N. Canyon Road.
This beautiful park covers 9 acres at the mouth of City Creek Canyon. The city acquired the land in 1902, and it was dedicated to the fallen Utah soldiers of World War I and named Memory Grove in 1924.
The Pagoda was the first memorial constructed in the park. The marble comes from the same place as the marble used to construct the Lincoln Monument in Washington, D.C. In the middle of the eight columns, you'll find a column that lists the names of Utah soldiers who died in World War I.
The main loop around the park is about .8 miles long, and it provides a nice tour along shady sidewalks and around grassy expanses. City Creek follows the path, providing a bubbling, gurgling soundtrack for your stroll.
You're welcome to bring your pup, but he must be on-leash in the lower portion of the park, so keep him out of the pond and creek. Above the main bridge you can let him romp and play in the creek.
The Freedom Trail connects at the north end of the park, and you can hike through the trees along it for another .75 miles. You'll eventually run into City Creek Canyon, and you can hike even farther up from there if you'd like.
