Overview

The preservation of open space and importance of recreational trail opportunities are best represented in the City’s General Plan - Natural Setting Goals. In addition, the 2008 Trails Master Plan provides the general and underlying policy guidance for the planning, development,
and ongoing stewardship of Park City’s extensive public trail and open space system. 

Park City’s boundary includes 12,794 total acres, nearly 10,000 of which are preserved as open space by either acquisition or through the public planning and regulatory processes. Open space preserves natural resources, protects scenic viewsheds, mitigates development pressures, and create a host of recreational opportunities.

Park City’s non-motorized trail system consists of:
• Summer trails - 172 miles;
• Winter trails - 70 kilometers; and
• Trailheads/kiosks - 19 structures.

The Park City trail system was initially developed in the early 1990s, which coincided with the emergence of mountain biking as a mainstream recreational endeavor. After two decades of work, in 2012, Park City was recognized as the premier public trail system, earning the first ever Gold-Level International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA)

Ride Center. Today, you can find hundreds of bikers and hikers enjoying the trail system built over decades by a dedicated community.

Partners

The Trails and Open Space Team could not operate this extensive network without the help of local and regional stakeholders, including:
• Mountain Trails Foundation (MTF) - Lora Smith, Executive Director;
• Summit Land Conservancy (SLC) - Cheryl Fox, Executive Director;
• Utah Open Lands (UOL) - Wendy Fisher, Executive Director; and
• Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District (SBSRD) - Dana Jones, Executive Director

Stakeholder Coordination
The Trails and Open Space Team meets regularly with Mountain Trails Foundation, Summit Land Conservancy, Utah Open Lands, and the Snyderville Basin Special Recreation District to review trail and open space related items, including proposed trail projects. Meetings with
Council Liaisons and stakeholders are frequent and ensure consistency with applicable conservation easements and ongoing evaluation of the goals and objectives. Meetings also are used to share and collaborate on data collection, including trail counts, trailhead use, wildlife
cameras, and annual monitoring reports. Finally, discussions include collaboration on grants or private donations.

Funding & Grants

Trail development is typically funded three different ways:
• The Trails Master Plan Capital Budget;
• Grant Opportunities including the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (UORG), Summit County (RAP & Restaurant), Utah State Recreation Trail Program (RTP), and others; and
• Private Donations

The most common funding mechanism is the combination of grants, which require a match from the Trails Master Plan budget and approved through the annual budget process.