🐈 Cat Park is back

Joseph F. Steenblik Park aka “Cat Park” is back! The beloved pocket park in Rose Park reopened Monday after being closed for improvements, kicking off a wave of revamped Salt Lake City parks.

• What’s new? The park now has an expanded two-story playground, a separate toddler play area, more seating and trees, new landscaping, a picnic area, and an upgraded gathering plaza. The city even reused pieces of the old playground in the new structure to stretch the project’s roughly $700,000 budget. [Salt Lake Tribune]
• Are the cats still there? Absolutely. When the city asked residents what they wanted from the redesign, their top request was essentially: Leave the cats alone. The 4-foot tall bronze cat statues commemorate the former Steenblik Dairy (and the cats that kept the mouse population at bay). [KSL]
• Steenblik is the first completed park renovation funded through Salt Lake City’s $85 million parks bond, which 71% of voters approved in 2022. The bond will fund 19 projects across the city and will be repaid through property taxes over 20 years. [Salt Lake City]
• Expect more upgraded park reopenings this fall: Donner Trail Park is scheduled to reopen Oct. 1, Liberty Park’s renovated Rotary Playground on Oct. 20, and the much larger Pioneer Park overhaul on Nov. 1. [Salt Lake Tribune]

2 New Bagel Locations

Lehi’s Oh No Bagels announced they’re opening a Salt Lake City location on 9th & 9th. At the same time, PopUp Bagels (a national chain) is opening their first Utah location in Holladay. Do we smell bagel wars? [X, Instagram]

Rachel Maddow to Stop in SLC

Rachel Maddow is coming to Salt Lake City during her book tour on Wednesday, Nov. 18. Grab tickets to the event at Kingsbury Hall, which include a copy of the book. [The King’s English Bookshop]

LDS Church Opposes Abortion Measure in Nevada

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is urging members in Nevada to oppose Question 6, a November ballot proposal that would add the right to choose an abortion to the state constitution. The move comes days after church leaders opposed a similar measure in Idaho. [Salt Lake Tribune]

We Plan Your Game Day

We’ve got local food ideas (and more) for your next game day party. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]