City Cast Portland logo
June 14, 2026

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast Portland

City Cast Portland

'Your City Could Be Better': Why Every Region Needs A Park Map Tool Like Salt Lake’s — Presented By City Cast Portland

00:00:00
View all City Cast Portland episodes

Do you know how many parks Portland has? Residents of Salt Lake County have wondered about their parks for years — that is, until City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta set out to catalog them all. Over the course of two years, she visited all 511 parks in the county, seeking to record their amenities (e.g., bathrooms, playgrounds), write helpful summaries, and track down the people in charge. The resulting map has already become a valuable tool for locals, who now not only know who to call when trash cans are overflowing: they can also find outdoor spaces that meet their needs.

Mentioned on the show:

  • Every Park SLC - The First-Ever Guide to Every Park in Salt Lake County (City Cast Salt Lake)

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Portland

Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
September 18

A Fentanyl Vaccine, City Council Implodes Over Zenith, and the Portland Book Festival Is Almost Here

We're talking about how Northwest researchers are developing vaccines that could prevent opioid overdose deaths, and how things are shaki...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 17

Washington County’s Viral Middle Finger, Portland Schools' Messy Laid-Off Teacher Recalls, and Councilor Green's Spicy Police Rants Resurface

A Washington County board meeting turned into a viral moment when County Chair Kathryn Harrington silently flipped off Commissioner Nafis...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 16

What City Councilors Spent Their Office Budgets On, More River Pig Saloon Drama, and Portland’s Pettiest Gripes

We're talking about the $2.2 million city councilors spent on pet projects — as well as how a Pearl District bar owner who once complaine...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 15

Round 2: Why These 3 Portlanders Want To Represent District 4

Today we have our second interview of the city's fall election with the second panel of candidates for Portland City Council District 4....

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 14

Round 1: Why These 3 Portlanders Want To Represent District 4

Today we're kicking off our interviews for the city's fall election with the first panel of candidates for Portland City Council District...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 13

‘Your City Could Be Better’: How Las Vegas Is Handling Record-Breaking Heat — Presented By City Cast Portland

It may not feel like it right now, but extreme heat is coming for Portland, and Las Vegas might have the answers you need. An already siz...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 11

Why the County Chair Race Needs Your Attention. Plus, I-5 Carmageddon Starts Tonight, and Electricians Are Leaving Oregon

With a two-mile stretch of southbound I-5 shutting down tonight, a county chair race that could reshape Portland's entire social safety n...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 10

The Political PAC Winning Over Local Restaurant Owners. Plus, Are Hot Dogs at Bars a Recession Indicator? And Listener Mailbag!

We're talking about the connection between a conservative PAC and some local chefs, as well as the new trend of local bars serving hot do...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 9

Low Marks for City Hall, Affordable Housing’s Rent Hike, and Oregon’s ‘Tiger King’ Goes To Prison

Today on the podcast, we're talking about why shockingly few Portlanders think city government is effective, and why some tenants of Home...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
September 8

3 New Restaurants To Check Out This Fall. Plus, Why Gresham Made Your Water Bill More Expensive

We're talking about some newly opened restaurants to try out and a locally made game that is taking inspiration from our Portland foods s...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art