At one of White City’s busiest corners, an overlooked patch of land is on the verge of becoming a community gateway.

For years, the 0.13 acres of land at 700 East and Sego Lily Drive has been rocks and weeds, a remnant of the road expansion in 2007. Now, thanks to a grassroots effort led by White City Community Council, that “eyesore” is being reimagined as a welcoming pollinator-friendly public space.

“I’ve had this in my sights for six years,” said Brent Potter, White City Community Council chairman. “It’s been an abandoned, ugly corner and it would be great to get the pollinator program working there and even, add some greenspace to our community.”

 Potter, a landscape architect by profession, has helped lead the project from concept to near-construction along with another White City resident, Sam Taylor, a fellow landscape architect. The turning point came in late 2025 when the council secured a landscaping lease with the property owner, Utah Department of Transportation, which gave the community permission to improve the land. 

Three design workshops held earlier this year invited residents to help shape the vision. Ideas ranged from garden spaces to exercise options to a community gathering area. The final concept, selected by a close community vote, includes shaded seating, walking path, native plants and a community information board, with future additions such as benches, signage and a trellis planned as funding allows.

“I was happy to have all the feedback. We’re providing the most professional, transparent process as possible,” he said. “A citizen suggested the idea of engraved pavers, and I really like the idea. It leads to more ownership of the park from the community.”

This spring, Potter is working on the next step in the project: securing water and applying for the Utah Department of Agriculture’s Utah Pollinator Habitat Program.

“That application has to be submitted to the habitat pollinator program by April 15,” he said. “To be considered for that program, I have to have water to the site.”

If successful, the program would supply much of the native plants, which is an essential piece of the project’s ecological and financial plan, Potter said. Those plants are typically delivered in late September, aligning with the council’s timeline for installation.

Work on the site is slated to begin in late summer. Volunteers, through a new initiative called “Give Back White City” which connects residents with service opportunities, will first clear weeds and prepare the ground before donated labor and materials are slated in September.

“Internally, we have our own volunteer network of labor,” he said. “We also have verbal commitments from three semi-local companies to have labor donated.”

Potter said the project could be built in phases if needed.

“We can get the walking paths and with the water, the plants in and if we need to, the benches, trellis structure, community board and signage could be later,” he said.

If the beautification project adheres to its schedule, a grand opening is slated for October.

“If successful, the project will not only beautify a highly visible intersection but also create a lasting space that reflects the values, input and pride of White City residents,” Potter said.

In addition to the gateway entrance, White City has several community events planned. A plant swap is scheduled for May 16, followed by a 5K race and walk June 20. On July 11, a car show will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, supported by a $1,500 state grant. The events wrap up with the community’s “Last Blast of Summer” held in late August.

White City has about 6,000 residents. The 9805 S. 700 East address of the site was previously a private residence.