Date of Award

8-2025

Degree Type

Creative Project

Degree Name

Master of Landscape Architecture (MLA)

Department

Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning

Committee Chair(s)

Dave Evans (Committee Chair)

Committee

Dave Evans

Committee

Daniella Hirschfeld

Committee

Ronnie Pessetto

Abstract

This research-based design thesis examines the historic and ecological significance of the combined 20-acre Warm Springs and North Gateway Parks in the Capitol Hill neighborhood on the north end of Salt Lake City. Distinguished by the natural hot springs in North Gateway Park, the area was formed through geological processes associated with the emergence of the Wasatch Mountains (Lutz, 2004) and holds a deep cultural history for indigenous peoples such as the Shoshone, Goshute, Southern Utes, and Northern Utes. These tribes historically used the springs for social bathing, healing, and wintering grounds until the arrival of settlers in 1847, which brought disease, displacement, and over 36 unmarked graves near Warm Springs Park (Alter, 1934). The area has undergone various social transformations, including the construction of a bathhouse commissioned by Brigham Young in 1848, which served as a social center and economic resource for the Latter-day Saints community (Jones, 2008).

Over the years, the parks have faced numerous challenges: issues related to homelessness, aging infrastructure, environmental degradation such as invasive species overtaking wetlands, excessive watering of turf grass, and the decline of mature trees (Maxwell, 2024; S.L.C. Public Lands, 2020). The historic bathhouse has fallen into disrepair, posing health and safety hazards and impeding safe circulation within the parks (Williams, 2018). Community concerns emphasize the need for interventions that address safety, ecological health, and cultural preservation.

This thesis employs a mixed-methods approach—including site inventory and analysis, community engagement, literature review, and case studies—to develop a comprehensive master plan for revitalization. The proposed design framework aims to integrate cultural heritage recognition, ecological restoration, and social inclusivity, resulting in a vision that fosters community identity and environmental sustainability. Anticipated outcomes include the creation of inclusive public spaces, the adaptive reuse of historic structures, and the enhancement of ecological resilience, ensuring these parks serve as vital community assets for future generations.

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