From Deseret News archives:
Park City hoping to turn walkable, bikeable
City Hall in August gave the thumb's-up to a $15 million bond for pedestrian and bike trails throughout the mountain town. But Parkites will have the final say since a "yes" vote means a hefty increase in property taxes. Residents will vote in November whether or not they want the upgrades.
"We're really trying to separate pedestrians from vehicles as best as possible," said Tom Baklay, the town's city manager.
The goal is to make Park City completely interconnected through pedestrian-friendly trails, linking neighborhoods and shopping districts.
"We have a great trails system up in the mountains, mountain biking and hiking, and that's an integral part of what we're doing. But this is more pedestrian connections in town," Baklay added.
It was two years ago that activist group Share the Road approached the City Council about making such changes to the city landscape. Of highest priority was creating safer walking routes around Park City particularly to the schools. Both Park City High School and Treasure Mountain Middle School are along the busy Kearns Boulevard.
Potter describes city officials as "very receptive." They hired Salt Lake City-based consulting group Landmark Design to create a trail system to fit in with Park City's unique mountain, urban environment.
Public hearings were held and input from a steering committee was taken; the public played a large role in the plan. The resulting document influenced the city to approve $1.5 million for upgrades last year in the council's budget.
But more was wanted and needed.
So Park City continued studying. A city-conducted poll found 62 percent of residents would be in favor of a $20 million bond for the walkable and bikeable trails.
Parkites have proven to be supportive of recreational improvements. Residents have approved three major open space bonds in the past six years, totalling $40 million, and a 2001 bond for the ice arena at Quinn's Junction.
If the entire $15 million trail bond is approved, Parkites would pay for the bond for the next 15 years. On a home assessed at $100,000, a primary homeowner would pay an extra $16.80 a year for the bond. A secondary home or business assessed at that same value would pay $30.15 a year.
Recent comments
Maybe the 'unfortunate' should exercise some initiative...improve...
Bob | Sept. 4, 2007 at 5:33 p.m.
Perhaps Lawton, Oklahoma can be asked to share their plans for...
Stephen | Sept. 4, 2007 at 10:25 a.m.
Perkite or Parkies are going to do a huge NIMBY. Take the available...
Anonymous | Sept. 4, 2007 at 10:20 a.m.
- TCU 55, Utah 28 4:24 a.m.
- BYU 24, New Mexico 19 4:21 a.m.
- Jazz game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Real Salt Lake: Game at a glance 3:00 a.m.
- Stanford ends Y's soccer season 2:20 a.m.
- Jazz hope D-Will returns soon 2:19 a.m.
- Snow, SUU lose 2:18 a.m.
- Aggies beat Spartans in snowy Logan 2:17 a.m.
- Toone saves day for Wildcats 2:15 a.m.
- Win in New Mexico good for Y? 2:15 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
- Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers
- D-Will home for daughter
- Utes excited for 'dream' game
- Bench proves fruitful for Y.
- Crash on snowy road kills woman
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- GameDay in Fort Worth
- Born of water and the spirit
- SLC council OKs gay rights policies
358 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
200 - BYU happy to escape with victory
194 - Will state consider gay rights law?
148 - TCU creams U.
134 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
130 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
129 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
106 - Celtics crush Jazz
104
If you are looking for a bird on the cheap, the following specials from...
How do you handle kids and contests? Our oldest daughter, 7, is of the...
So Great!!! So Proud - Love RSL - Bring Home The CUP!!!!!
mr cannon's bold assertation that the purpose of the first ammendemnt as...
Great great great game!!!! Nicky Rimando is a god! We're the most complete...
I had the game on DVR and just watched it. That was the most exciting game...
financially cannot this year, but I will watch loyally, how great to hear...
This is hardly surprising. Bennett has a remarkable arrogance which is also...
I guess that is why "they play the game" as Herman Edwards would say.. ...
What was the score of the LSU vs LA tech game? Alot closer than you'd like to...
Has Fedor not said that THIS IS OUR YEAR all year long? Go back and...
This is just a small glimpse of the future with Obamacare: corruption, waste...

