Public can suggest open-space parcels

Beginning Monday, anyone in Salt Lake City can suggest a spot of open space for the city to preserve.

The city's public-services department will take applications for open-space preservation through June 15. The parcels must be predominantly open and undeveloped land that could be used for wildlife habitats, parks or trails. The owner of the land also must be willing to talk to the city about selling the land.

Applicants must be able to show that the city will only have to pay up to 50 percent of the project. The 50-50 match will stretch the city's $5 million that is dedicated for open space to at least $10 million, said Sheila Yorkin, a spokeswoman for the public-services department.

The city's open-space advisory board will judge the applications for the open-space land on their ability to improve quality of life, as well as their ecological benefits, community support and cost. After a first round of cuts, the board will select parcels of land for preservation by Sept. 15 and recommend to the City Council which are worth a portion of the city's money.