Fourteen projects receive $435,112 in grants from Utah's rec office

In an effort to improve outdoor recreation infrastructure throughout the state, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation has awarded more than $435,112 in grant funding for 14 projects in 12 counties.

The projects’ cost totals more than $2.8 million when matching funds and private investment are included. The projects include trails, campsites, bicycle parks and more. Sixty-seven percent of the approved grant funds will support projects in rural counties.

The office received 28 applications seeking more than $1.1 million in grant funding for projects valued at $4.7 million. The 14 recipient projects are expected to create 81 jobs, including 67 in rural Utah.

Recipients of the Outdoor Recreation Grants are:

• Beaver City, for Beaver City wayfinding and kiosks. Total project value of $69,000. Grant amount of $18,000.

• Grand County Economic Development, for Courthouse Rock Campground corrals. Project value of $33,724.44. Grant of $5,724.44.

• Salt Lake Climbers Alliance, for Gate Buttress Recreation Infrastructure Project Phase 1 in Little Cottonwood Canyon. Project value of $165,740. Grant of $50,000.

• Great Salt Lake Nature Center, for wayfinding signs (Davis County). Project value of $5,583. Grant of $2,500.

• Kane County Water Conservancy, for Jackson Flat Reservoir recreation infrastructure and trails. Project value of $531,129. Grant of $200,000.

• Town of Alta, for Lower Albion Meadows Trail improvements. Project value of $18,000. Grant of $5,000.

• Emery County Travel Bureau, for Lower San Rafael Road wayfinding signs. Project value of $10,888. Grant of $5,000.

• Orem City, for the Bike-Skills Trail Park at Mount Timpanogos Park. Project value of $78,185. Grant of $30,000.

• Kaysville City, for Pioneer Park adventure play area. Project value of $1.6 million. Grant value of $35,000.

• Provo City Parks and Recreation, for Slate Canyon Cycle Park. Project value of $95,000. Grant of $25,000.

• Perry City (Box Elder County), for Three Mile Creek Gun Range short-range pistol venue, trail and parking project. Project value of $61,787.25. Grant of $11,110.

• Vernal City, for wayfinding. Project value of $62,500. Grant of $25,000.

• Heber Valley Tourism and Economic Development, for the Wasatch Mountain State Park archery range. Project value of $60,934.82. Grant of $30,067.80.

• Southern Utah Bicycle Alliance, for the Washington County Recreational Road Bike Network. Project value of $41,245. Grant of $10.710.

“What I appreciate about our Outdoor Recreation Grants is, it’s not just for the Fortune 500 companies — which we appreciate and we want more of them — but it’s for the smaller things that actually add to the quality of life that we have here,” Gov. Gary Herbert said at a recent meeting of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) board.

“Outdoor recreation plays an important role in Utah’s diverse economy and quality of life,” Val Hale, GOED’s executive director, said in a prepared statement. “As the fastest-growing state in the nation, we have the responsibility to plan for our future by creating and maintaining recreation opportunities in our communities.”

“Our goal is to ensure all Utah residents can live a healthy, active lifestyle through outdoor recreation,” said Tom Adams, director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation. “We work with our local partners to build healthy communities and support the outdoor recreation economy. These projects demonstrate Utah’s commitment to fostering close-to-home recreation opportunities.”