Park City hoping to turn walkable, bikeable

PARK CITY — As Park City reaches near built-out levels, the city wants to cut back on streets and take a unique approach to travel: a completely walkable and bikeable community.

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.

"As Park City keeps growing, it's getting busier and busier, and it's time we address this with safe routes to school," said Carol Potter, a member of Share the Road and executive director of the Mountain Trails Advocacy Group.

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.