Utah Healing Field - Sandy City

Description

The Utah Healing Field® in Sandy City is a solemn and inspiring event held annually to honor and remember the victims who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Started in 2002, this moving tribute was the first Healing Field® in the nation located at the Sandy City Promenade Park, transforming the park into a field of more than 3,000 American flags, each representing a life lost in the tragic events of that day. 

Visitors can walk through the meticulously arranged flags, each accompanied by a name and brief biography, creating a powerful reminder of the human cost of the attacks and the resilience of the American spirit. The event fosters unity and reflection, drawing families, community members, and visitors to pay their respects.

In addition to the 9/11 flag display, there is also the Utah Fallen Field where over 300 flags represent a life sacrificed in the line of duty of our Utah officers, first responders, and K9 officers. 

Setting up and taking down 3,350+ flags is a daunting task and requires skilled Parks & Rec employees along with hundreds of volunteers who eagerly enlist each year-- such as high school clubs & athletes, church groups, families, and Utah residents from all over the state. The flags are usually in place for 5 - 7 days. 

In 2024, we partnered with the United Airline and Delta Airline pilots and flight attendants who also assisted in the installation and taking down of the flags. Several of the pilots had never visited Utah before, and all of them were blown away by the love, care, patriotism, and healing that the Sandy City Healing Field® creates and promised to return again in 2025 with more employees to volunteer their time. 

Sandy City also enlisted the Sandy Police Department and Sandy Fire Department in 2024 to install the Utah Fallen Officers field, where they, too, solemnly reflect on their brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate price.

Many visitors to the field learn of the tragic 9/11 event for the first time, while others come to heal from traumas completely unrelated to 9/11. Plain grass is transformed into a sacred place to heal and is truly awe-inspiring.The Healing Field® serves not only as a poignant reminder of 9/11, but also as a celebration of hope, patriotism, and the enduring strength of the community that is beloved by thousands.