APA Utah Fall Conference Speaker

Soren Simonsen, AICP, FAIA, LEED AP

Executive Director
Jordan River Commission

Soren Simonsen is the Executive Director of the Jordan River Commission, an Interlocal Agency he worked to establish in 2010. The Commission is comprised of 30 local, regional and state government agencies, together with community partners, working to conserve, preserve, restore and improve the 50-mile Jordan River Parkway in Utah. Soren is a planner, urban designer, architect, educator, community organizer and social entrepreneur. Over the past three decades, including more than 20 years of public service as an appointed and elected official, his career has included developing livable cities, designing sustainable and resilient buildings and neighborhoods, curating vibrant public places, protecting and conserving sensitive lands and natural resources, and working on policies and solutions to address urban and regional issues, homelessness, natural resource conservation and mitigating climate change.

Session(s):

Water Conservation: Good, Better & Best Practices in Urban Design »

2022 Fall Conference, September 9, 2022 3:40 pm

Public conscientiousness and concern about water is growing. Drought, climate change and stormwater are further impacting the already impaired waterways that thread through our communities. Urban designers and planners need solutions. Recent changes in state law are raising the bar on water-wise planning. Join this conversation to learn about some of the elegant solutions to improve water quality, and put more if it back where it is needed the most—in our rivers, streams and lakes.

Where Does the Water Go? Jordan Narrows Mobile Tour with Lime Ebikes »

2022 Fall Conference, September 9, 2022 1:15 pm

For many years, the numerous diversion of the Jordan River at the Point of the Mountain have been mostly hidden from view. Thanks to the recent completion of the Jordan River Trail, what's happening to our river system is coming into clearer view. Join us for a bike tour that will pedal through the Jordan Narrows, observing the two main structures where most of the Jordan River is diverted. We'll turn around at The Point in Draper, where the range to river greenway and stormwater strategies are reshaping ideas around the Jordan River Parkway.

Explore the Jordan River Parkway Part 2 : Murray-Taylorsville Paddling Tour »

September 10, 2021 1:30 pm

Part 2 will include paddling a scenic stretch of the Jordan River from Winchester Park, located at 1250 W Winchester (approximately 6700 South) to Little Cottonwood Creek Confluence at Little Confluence Trailhead Park, located at 677 W 4800 South. Participants will learn about current efforts underway to address water quality, open space preservation, restoration, weed management, bank stabilization, and outdoor recreation development efforts by the Jordan River Commission, Murray City, Salt Lake County, Utah Division of Water Quality and other partners. Participants should wear casual clothes and shoes that might get damp or wet during the paddle tour.

Explore the Jordan River Parkway Part 1 : Big Bend Preserve Walking Tour »

September 10, 2021 10:00 am

The Jordan River is a unique river and watershed. It is 50 miles in length, connecting Utah’s two largest water bodies — from Utah Lake to the Great Salt Lake. Over the past two decades the cities, counties, special service districts, and state and federal agencies that have regulatory and jurisdictional oversight of the river are increasingly working together to revitalize and improve the river corridor, commonly known today as the Jordan River Parkway. This mobile workshop series will introduce participants to some of the best emerging elements of the Jordan River Parkway in West Jordan, Murray and Taylorsville.

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