The Yalecrest Neighborhood Council helps promote a safe and vibrant community in this historic neighborhood
with its iconic architecture, tree-lined streets and parks.
We act as a forum for residents to voice their opinions about issues vital to the community and to engage in activities, projects and causes that reflect Yalecrest’s vitality.
MONTHLY MEETINGS
YNC meetings are typically held the second Thursday monthly at 6:30 p.m.
at Anderson-Foothill Library. Zoom attendance is also available.
2025 BIRD COUNT IN MILLER PARK
Nearly 60 species were identified during Tracy Aviary’s annual survey of birds in the Miller Nature Park and Bird Refuge this year. This compares favorably with previous counts, suggesting a steady population. Among the sightings were the Yellow Warbler, the Black-capped Chickadee, as well as owls, a ruby-crowned kinglet, and the Northern Flicker.
FINAL SUNNYSIDE PARK DESIGN
A final design concept for Sunnyside Park has been released by SLC’s Public Lands Department. It was selected from three options presented to the community for review last spring. Most of the existing sports fields will remain with a few new amenities like mini pavilions, pickle ball courts, trees, a walking path, and an enlarged children’s playground. Construction is not expected to begin until 2027. The redesign was initiated when the University of Utah won approval to lease about 1.2 acres of park property for a new baseball stadium in exchange for $4.2 million that was set aside for park improvements.
SYCAMORE TREE UPDATE
The first phase of Salt Lake City’s effort to reduce or eliminate the harmful effects of pathogens attacking sycamores in Yalecrest and throughout the city was launched in 2025. This past spring, experimental tests were conducted by Urban Forestry at select locations. More treatment options are planned.
The city acknowledged that trees under the greatest threat are on Michigan Avenue.
To learn more visit these sites:
Anthracnose Management: A Guide for Salt Lake City Trees
Yalecrest Neighborhood Council sycamore tree meeting recap Nov. 2024
YALECREST CANCER STUDY
A working group under the direction of Dr. Douglas Sborov, director of the Multiple Myeloma Program at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, has been launched to study cancer cases in Yalecrest. Sborov’s team, in collaboration with the Utah Population Database, will investigate if environmental incidents like the PCE plume on Sunnyside or the Chevron oil spill, may have been contributing factors. Anecdotally, the percentage of blood cancers in the neighborhood is above the statistical norm. Yalecrest resident Vicki Varela initiated the study after she and several nearby neighbors were all diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Anyone wishing to contribute information about Yalecrest cancer cases is urged to contact Vicki at vicki.varela@gmail.com. Dr. Sborov is expected to deliver an initial report after the first of the year.
THE PCE PLUME IN SUNNYSIDE
Latest update December, 2025:
Treatment options to remove toxic PCE from the groundwater and soil from Sunnyside Park to East High School will be presented to the public in 2026. A public comment period will follow with a final selection sometime in 2027.
Background: PCE began leaking from a dry-cleaning operation at the VA hospital between the mid-1970-1980s. First detected in an irrigation well in Mt. Olivet in 1990, the hospital source was not determined until 2004. The map below indicates two major areas of PCE concentration—an underground area near the new U of U baseball stadium and the grounds of East High School west to 900 East. It was declared an EPA Superfund site in 2013. More information.