From Deseret News archives:
This Is the Place erasing the 'red'
"Heritage tourism is the No. 1 reason people travel today," said Dahl, a Western history buff. "It started back after Sept. 11. People want to get back to their roots. They want to see more than preservation. They want to see the skills, crafts and culture."
The 450-acre park celebrates the arrival of Mormon pioneers in the valley in 1847. The 43 different buildings which have all been relocated to the park showcase the history of the early Mormon settlers.
Dahl is part of the extreme administrative makeover that the This Is the Place Foundation has had since March, when developer Ellis Ivory, founder of Ivory Homes, took over as the foundation's chairman. Ivory is also chairman of the Deseret Morning News board of directors.
Ideas like a Native American village, a mountain-man encampment, a replica train running around the park's perimeter and a nature preserve with buffalo, antelope and elk received positive reactions at the park's board meeting last week. Former foundation leadership had similar ambitious goals to expand but Ivory says it can be done in a year.
"The park really needs something like this to be dynamic," Dahl said. "There's some neat, neat stories to be told. The public doesn't want to come and see things they want to come and do things."
Adding new attractions fits into a larger-scale business model to finally bring some much-needed revenue to the park.
"Not charging admission has still been a goal in the back of my mind," Ivory said. "I love the idea of having the park open and charging for things like events and rides."
Ivory said he wants to avoid turning the park into a "pioneer strip mall," but foundation leadership is actively pursuing sponsors and vendor contracts.
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