Seven Canyons Refuge — New, interactive art feature at Liberty Park now open

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — After water was turned off to the Seven Canyons Fountain in 2017, the space in Liberty Park has been reimagined into an interactive public art space, now called Seven Canyons Refuge.

According to a press release from the city, the Seven Canyons Refuge is a “dry, interactive art feature using light, sound, and sculptural elements to create a multisensory experience.” It focuses on accessibility and encourages visitors to “experience the intersection of art and nature.”

O.C. Tanner originally donated the Seven Canyons Fountain to the residents of Salt Lake City in 1993, but the water to the fountain had to be turned off in 2017 for safety concerns.

Stephen Goldsmith, one of the original artists of the Seven Canyons Fountain, was involved in the reimagining of the space alongside landscape architecture firm ArcSitio, with help from the Salt Lake City Department of Public Lands, the Salt Lake City Arts Council, and the City’s engineering division.

“It’s rare to see a piece of public art evolve with its community the way Seven Canyons has,” said Mayor Mendenhall. “This shows what’s possible when we honor the past but keep creating for the future.”

The art installation focuses on five key themes: the water systems of the Bonneville Basin, the region’s First Peoples and early human imprints, relationships with sister species, stewardship and healing of meaningful places, and expanded access to multi-sensory experiences.

Goldsmith wanted this reimagined space to educate the public on the essential role of water in the seven canyons that feed into the Great Salt Lake, according to the press release. He also wants the space to inspire future generations to be mindful about water usage and connecting with the environment.