Logan, Utah, repurposes landfill into public recreation space
With a plan to convert a local landfill into public green space, Logan, Utah, is turning its trash into a community treasure.
The city’s environmental department, along with a $750,000 grant from Utah’s Division of Outdoor Recreation and an additional $450 from the county’s Restaurant, Arts, Parks and Zoos tax, are funding the project. It is hoped that when completed, the Logan Outdoor Recreation Complex will attract visitors from all over the region and be a great amenity for local residents as well.
Five-phase plan
The concept of the Logan Outdoor Recreation Complex was first contemplated in 2005. At that time, the Logan City Landfill closure plan was created with the intention of repurposing the site – along with some adjacent property – once the landfill reached its maximum capacity.
In 2010, the city produced an Integrated Municipal Waste Management Campus Plan in preparation for the landfill’s closure.
According to Russ Akina, Logan’s director of parks and recreation, the new outdoor recreation complex is comprised of 194 acres – 85 of which come from the landfill site itself, while the remaining 109 come from a neighboring buffer property. The project is organized into five separate phases due to cost, with the first estimated to be completed in November.
That phase involves the rebuilding of 200 South Street from 1200 West to 1900 West. The road project will make it possible for the public to access the recreation complex and includes public trails through the buffer property to the south.
“A 61.25-acre disc golf course is also being prepared while the public trails are being developed,” Akina noted.
The second phase, slated to begin in 2025, includes the construction of a 2.55-acre park southeast of the landfill that will serve the Woodruff neighborhood, one of the fastest-growing residential areas in the city. The park will have two playgrounds, a shade pavilion and a restroom facility, as well as a small turf play area. It will be followed by the construction of an 11-acre dog park at 1900 West, southwest of the landfill site.
The fourth phase, scheduled for 2026-27, will see the construction of bike trails on the actual landfill. Bike trails were chosen for the space because they will not require crews to penetrate the landfill cap, thus keeping the area safe for everyone.
The remainder of the project involves repurposing the city’s current green waste facility, converting it into a 34.2-acre outdoor adventure playground and fitness course.
“The Utah Department of Environmental Quality set the regulations for the city’s landfill closure process,” Akina said. “The bike trails project will occur only after the Environmental Department authorizes the recreation complex project to proceed.”
An attractive amenity
Converting landfills into public parks is more common than most people might think. According to the 2006 paper “From Dumps to Destination: The Conversion of Landfills to Parks” by Peter Harnik, Michael Taylor and Ben Welle, converting a landfill into a public park transforms a toxic liability into an attractive amenity. It’s also a sustainable way to recycle urban assets.
“In the heart of a dense metro area, a former dump mat today may be one of only a few large, open locations remaining on which to build a new public park,” the authors wrote. “And its conversion may present an opportunity to correct longstanding local patterns of environmental injustice. Moreover, there is a good chance the landfill – which may be as small as dozens of acres or as large as 1,000 or more – will be inexpensive to buy, or free, or possibly come with some supporting funds for maintenance.”
Akina said that the Environmental Department has a closure and post-closure care fund for Logan Landfill with an estimated value of $5,793,262. Approximately $2,486,020 of that has been spent on closure of the north and west sides of the landfill. The remaining funds will be used to complete the overall closure and on post-closure care of the landfill space.
“Additionally, the department has set aside a total of $2,441,000 for improving public usability for park use of the land adjacent to the landfill and for the road improvements for the 200 South roadway,” he said.
Although the entire recreation complex will take six to 10 years to complete, with so much growth on the southwest side of Cache County, residents are eager to see the area transformed into something sustainable that will enhance their quality of life.
“There is excitement and great anticipation from dog owners to mountain bike enthusiasts, disc golf players and residents in the nearby area. They are excited to have a park within walking distance,” Akina said.
Construction has begun on Logan, Utah’s, new outdoor recreation complex, which will be located on the former site of the city landfill. This aerial view shows where the future amenities will be located on the property. (Photos provided by Logan, Utah.) 
Logan has planned what it hopes will be both a local park for residents in nearby neighborhoods as well as a recreation destination for those looking to enjoy a variety of outdoor amenities, including disc golf, bike trails, an adventure park and more. 
The new outdoor recreation complex in Logan has been in the works since 2005 when the city began to make plans for the landfill once it reached its capacity.
