Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron Park, Salt Lake City

The Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Cauldron Park, now known as the Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron Plaza, is a commemorative site located outside the Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah. Originally constructed to celebrate the legacy of the 2002 Winter Olympics and Paralympics held in Salt Lake City, the park opened in 2003 and featured the iconic Olympic cauldron, the Hoberman Arch, a visitor center, and an array of plaques and panels recounting each day of the Games.

The park was designed as a lasting tribute to the Games, showcasing detailed displays and a landscaping setup with water features, plantings, and concrete walls. Visitors could explore 17 panels, each dedicated to one of the Olympic days, which outlined the highlights and memorable moments of each day. Surrounding the park was a fence, which was often locked but allowed free public access when open. The park’s visitor center offered a film about the Games, with ticket sales supporting the park's maintenance.

In 2018, a planned expansion of Rice-Eccles Stadium necessitated the relocation of the cauldron. In 2020, the cauldron was removed for refurbishment, receiving updated glass panels, LED lighting, and energy-efficient flame mechanisms. By October 29, 2021, the cauldron was reinstalled in a newly unveiled plaza near the stadium’s ticket office, allowing for unrestricted public access. This new plaza includes eight monuments with photographs and plaques, narrating the story of the Games. The cauldron, which now rests atop a modern pedestal, is ceremonially lit on special occasions, including anniversaries of the Games and significant events like the awarding of the 2034 Winter Olympics to Salt Lake City in 2024.