Growing up here in the 1970s, it never occurred to this reporter that the Jordan River could be used for recreation. At that time, it was a polluted waterway where people dumped sewage, car tires, shopping carts and disgusting things you wouldn’t want floating around you.

So, when South Salt Lake Mayor Cherie Wood invited me to paddle the Jordan River with her, as part of the Get to the River Festival, my first thought was, “Why?” 

That turned into a ‘What?!’ when organizers warned the river was FAST, TWISTY and possibly DEADLY, then cheerfully added, “Come have fun!” I thought about staying on my safe couch, but was assured the mayor didn’t plan to drown a community journalist.

I was torn between wanting to try something new and not wanting to die in the Jordan River, but in the end, I strapped on a life jacket, grabbed an oar and climbed into the canoe.

Within minutes of launching, I was amazed at the stillness along the river. Although the waterway winds through more than a dozen heavily populated cities, the perspective from the river was one of peace, something much-needed in today’s fraught environment.

The mayor gave me some brief instructions about how to steer a canoe, but after I paddled us into some overhanging branches, she kindly suggested I stop helping. I was fine with that. I sat in the boat and watched the birds, including ducks, falcons and a blue jay. There was also a rumored fox, but it eluded me. 

We floated from the Millcreek Jordan River Trailhead (1015 W. 4000 South) to the Pioneer Crossing Boat Ramp in West Valley City (1276 Cultural Center Drive), talking about life, nature, community and family.

A canoe sped by us with a young boy standing in the center, using the boat like a paddleboard. I marveled at his lack of fear because I was afraid to scratch my nose in case I capsized our canoe.

As we floated, I thought about how different this river is from the one I knew in the ’70s. Once notorious, the Jordan River began to transform after the Jordan River Commission was created in 2010, turning the 50-mile waterway into a place worth rediscovering. 

Each year, the JRC hosts the Get to the River event, where cities along the waterway plan educational or recreational opportunities for residents to learn more about the much-maligned river. Nearly 60 events were held during September, including water cleanups, scavenger hunts, river paddles, bird walks, lectures and exhibits. 

 In less than an hour, we reached the dock to take our canoe ashore. The time had flown by and I secretly hoped we’d drift past the launch and continue down the river, but even with my “assistance,” the mayor guided us safely to the landing. 

I’m not ready for a solo adventure on the Jordan River but I gained an appreciation for the necessity of enjoying and preserving such a vital waterway. I never thought I’d want to touch the Jordan River. Now I can’t wait to go back.