Rose Park

Close to downtown Salt Lake City, the Rose Park neighborhood takes its name from the area’s original developer, a gentleman who loved his flowers, in particular roses. In fact, one of Rose Park’s primary streets is named American Beauty Drive and is laid-out in the shape of a — wait for it — long-stem rose. An unpretentious enclave located within the boundaries of the Salt Lake City School District, Rose Park is west of the northwest slope of Capitol Hill and north of the Fairpark and Glendale neighborhoods. Rose Park is generally referred to as one of the more affordable communities within the greater Salt Lake City area and is filled with red-brick bungalows, cottages and ramblers that echo the 1950’s style apropos of the era of their construction.

Situated on decent-sized lots on tree-lined streets, these relatively modest homes were thought to be quite spacious at the time they were built, but now they are most-often starter homes for young families. As far as the size of the homes goes, a speedy anecdotal survey (admittedly non-scientific but hang with me…) of recent home-sales showed that while some homes were cozy two-bedroom plans (the smallest we saw was 700 square-feet), most had three bedrooms (and either one or two bathrooms) and were in the neighborhood of 1,400 to 1,500 square-feet. (For those looking for a slightly larger home, there were a few five-bedroom outliers with approximately 1,800 square-feet.) Some of these reasonably priced homes have been renovated; others are considered as opportunities for personalization and renovation.

After World War II, America’s GIs were welcomed home with great warmth and fanfare and affordably priced neighborhoods (such as Rose Park) were designed to meet the needs of these much-admired battle-weary servicemen and their families. Indeed, a wealth of post-war cottages and bungalows quickly sprang up across the country dotting the nation’s residential landscape with grassy yards and leafy trees providing plenty of places for the kids (who became known as the Baby Boomer generation) to play tag-you’re-it and hide-and-seek until momma turned the porchlight on.

Originally home to a hard-working cadre of predominantly blue-collar workers, some areas of Rose Park are becoming just a tad gentrified — and as with so many communities in the U.S., this is to the chagrin of some residents and the blessings of others. Residents have a high degree of community spirit, as denoted in the fact that Rose Park is home to a number of civic groups and charitable organizations, including the Lions Club and similar entities. Meanwhile, kids’ sporting events make up a big part of the community’s collective activities.

Featuring easy access to I-15 and I-215, Rose Park is said to be moderately walkable with numerous shortcuts to churches, parks and the like. Within the community, you’ll find several family-owned restaurants and stores, a public golf course, at least two parks and playgrounds, multiple soccer and baseball fields, a public library, a community garden and lots of green space and mature trees. Cyclists enjoy living in Rose Park since it connects to the Jordan River Parkway bike trail. If you asked residents what they most appreciate about living in Rose Park, you’re likely to hear them say that the community is affordable, quiet and offers proximity to downtown and the airport.