A Complete Guide to Liberty Park

Liberty Park is Salt Lake City’s oldest and second-largest city park, according to Salt Lake City’s Public Lands Department. Not only does Liberty Park boast beautiful grounds, it also includes many unique attractions including the Tracy Aviary, a beautiful lake, a swimming pool, several tennis courts, volleyball courts, a folk art museum, amusement rides (including a ferris wheel, swings, a merry-go-round, and kiddie cars), walking and running paths, playgrounds, pavilions, and plenty of open space for any other type of activity you can think of! Liberty Park is a hub for community events and casual hangouts. Both pet and family-friendly, Liberty Park is a destination you’ll definitely want to visit this spring and summer. 

Liberty Park rules
Liberty Park views

The Tracy Aviary

Liberty Park tracy aviary
cafe Liberty Park

The Tracy Aviary is one of Liberty Park’s coolest attractions. Home to over 400 birds from around the world as well as beautiful, themed botanical gardens, the aviary offers interactive bird shows, keeper demonstrations, animal encounters, and many other fantastic opportunities for both adults and children alike. Whether you’re a Salt Lake City resident or visiting from out of town, stopping by The Tracy Aviary is an absolute must! 

You can find The Tracy Aviary in the southeastern corner of the park. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note that the last admission is sold at 4 p.m. During the summer months (June, July, and August), the aviary is open on Mondays until 8 p.m. Infants 2 years old and under can get free admission. The aviary offers tickets for $8.95 for kids ages 3-12, $12.95 for adults (ages 13+), and discounted tickets for seniors, students, veterans, or the military at $10.95. Additionally, if you visit the park after 5 pm on those summer Mondays, anyone can get into the park for just $5.00! For more information about admissions and events, visit their website. If you’re hungry after your visit to the aviary, you can stop by The Bird Feeder Cafe. The cafe serves sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups, and other delicious snacks. 

Liberty Lake

Liberty lake

Liberty Lake is one of its most iconic features. Located in the southwestern corner of the park, it is a beautiful feature. In the warmer months (and when the water level is higher), you can rent a paddle boat for $20 per 30 minutes. If you’re not interested in paddling across the lake, there are several places surrounding it that would be perfect for a picnic, playing frisbee, or simply spending time with your family, enjoying the beautiful view. Year-round, you can spot several species of birds playing in and flying near the lake. 

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The Paths

Liberty Park paths
Liberty Park paths

There are several paths within Liberty Park. There is a 1.5-mile trail around the perimeter of the park which is perfect for running, walking, roller skating, etc. This trail has two paths: a concrete sidewalk and a softer, springier running path. Additionally, there is a prominent double sidewalk which cuts through the center of the park, making it a great way to get from one end of the park to the other. There are several other smaller sidewalks throughout the park, oriented around its various attractions and activities. 

Playgrounds

Rotary Play Park,
Rotary Play Park,

The main playground at Liberty Park is the Rotary Play Park, which is located in the northwestern corner of the park. The park is huge and highly entertaining for kids of all ages and abilities. Within the park are a few water features which are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Another prominent water feature in Liberty Park is the Seven Canyons Art Piece. This unique water feature has seven “canyons” which represent each canyon found within the Salt Lake Valley. This water feature is also open Memorial Day to Labor Day. Additionally, there is another smaller playground right next to the Rice Pavilion which is perfect if you are planning a family party or other get-together. If you are looking for other parks nearby make sure to visit Harvey Park or the Gilgal Sculpture Garden.

Where Is Liberty Park Located?

Liberty Park is located in Salt Lake City, Utah. It spans between 900 South and 1300 South and 500 East and 700 East. There are two entrances, one off of 900 South and one off of 1300 South. At the time this article is being written, the entrance on 900 South is closed for construction, so plan to enter on 1300 South! The parking spots are available on a one-way road spanning the perimeter of the park. Parking can be limited on the weekends, but if you’re planning on visiting the park on a weekday, there should be plenty of parking options. There is also a larger parking lot next to The Tracy Aviary which is open to all park attendees and can be useful on a busier day. If no parking is available in the designated parking areas, there is some street parking available around the perimeter of the park.

Facilities at Liberty Park

There are four total restroom locations at Liberty Park. There is one on the east side near the volleyball courts, one near the rotary playground, one at the tennis center, and lastly, one at the concession stand. There are nine drinking fountains located throughout the park, most of which are near the restrooms. You can also find a natural spring drinking fountains at the southeast corner of the park! 

If you’re hoping to plan a friend or family get-together at Liberty Park, there is a reservable pavilion which is available from the second Monday of April through the second Sunday of October. However, you can reserve the pavilion as early as February 1st, 2023 for the 2023 season. Please note that all pavilions must be reserved at least three business days prior to the reservation date, so make sure you plan ahead! Rice Pavilion at Liberty Park is available for half-day reservations (either 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.) seven days per week! The pavilion can seat 200 people and has two charcoal grills available for use. To make a reservation, you will be required to make an ActiveNet Account if you don’t already have one. Visit this link to reserve the pavilion!

You can access a map of Liberty Park’s amenities here. This map is super helpful for either planning your Liberty Park visit or navigating the park while you’re there. 

Liberty Park

What Are the Hours of Liberty Park?

Liberty Park is open seven days per week from 7 am-11 pm. 

Best Ages for Liberty Park

Liberty Park has something for everyone. It’s truly the perfect place to take the whole family. The park has a wide variety of both free and paid attractions and activities. Whether you’re looking to spend your day at the pool, playing tennis, watching your kids play on the playground, or simply taking a walk on a beautiful day, Liberty Park has it all.

Best Time of Year to Visit

Although Liberty Park is open year-round, the best times of year to visit are in the late spring, summer, and fall. Salt Lake City typically has quite snowy winters, so although the park is open during the winter months, you may find your visit more enjoyable during the warmer months. Depending on the season, Utah temperatures tend to be consistently warmer starting in April and sometimes lasting as late as October. 

Other Nearby Activities

If you’re looking for a bite to eat after visiting the park, there is a delicious restaurant right across the street called The Park Cafe. They are open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s the perfect place for brunch or lunch with your family or friends. This restaurant is super popular, and for good reason; it’s absolutely delicious and a must-try. There are a ton of other activities, stores, restaurants, etc. within a five-mile radius of Liberty Park. Did you know there is a replica of the house from the movie “Up”? It isn’t too far from Liberty Park.

We hope you enjoy your visit to Liberty Park! We’d love to hear about your experience, so be sure to leave a comment below. 

Author Name: Marissa Callor

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