GeoSights article

May 5, 2008

What: Dedication of the G.K. Gilbert Geologic View Park

Entrance to G.K. Gilbert Geologic View Park.

Who: Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon, Utah Geological Survey Director Rick Allis, Granite Community representative Tod Young

When: 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Where: G.K. Gilbert Geologic View Park
Northwest corner of the intersection of 9800 South and Wasatch Boulevard

Why: The area is already a well-known site for its world-class examples of several geological features, including the Wasatch fault and evidence of glaciers meeting an Ice Age lake. Thousands of people from all over the world visit this location every year.

A major portion of 1.2 acre property was acquired by Salt Lake County in a land trade with Salt Lake City in 1988. Later, the idea of establishing a park to display the rich geologic heritage of the area was presented. The idea becomes reality on May 7.

The park is named for G.K. Gilbert, who worked in Utah in the late 1800s and simultaneously pioneered several geologic concepts. Gilbert was the first geologist to establish that several Wasatch Range glaciers descended as far as the shoreline of ancient Lake Bonneville, and, the first to recognize the earthquake hazard posed by the Wasatch fault.

The park has five interpretive signs that identify the various landforms around the area, most of which are visible from the park.