Heber City, Utah (May 20, 2021) — The Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation (OOR) announced its grant award recipients for 2021. With 135 total application submissions this year and a total of over $11.5 million requested, the Utah OOR Grant Advisory Committee was able to award $7.6 million to 99 projects in 23 Utah counties. Of those projects awarded, Wasatch County received a total of $453,535 for six area projects.

“Through this type of grant program, our community is able to continue with progress on key outdoor recreational projects and programs,” said Dallin Koecher, Executive Director of the Heber Valley Chamber. “We are really pleased to see this type of financial support go to six local projects to continue developing outdoor recreation in our valley.”

Among the projects awarded funding, the following six are located in Heber Valley.

Bonanza Flat to Upper WOW Trail Connection
Grant funding received: $60,000
As part of the Wasatch Trails Foundation efforts to grow trail connectivity in the valley, the Bonanza Flat to upper WOW trail has been on its radar for some time. This funding will help the local non-profit with a crucial addition to the current trail system.
 

Perimeter Trail at Jordanelle State Park
Grant funding received: $80,000
Through the Mountainland Association of Governments, the Perimeter Trail at Jordanelle State Park will receive some exciting expansions. The existing doubletrack trail is approximately 14.6 miles one-way at about 6,000 feet of elevation and climbs about 2,400 feet total for an out-and-back ride of 29.2 miles. With these funds, the perimeter network will add a new trailhead at Crandall Point and a separate connector from the Fosten Spur to Richardson Flat. This will create overall greater connectivity and access to the existing trail network.
 

Homestead Resort Trail – Phase I
Grant funding received: $150,000
The Trails Master Plan contains two trails that cross the Homestead Resort property. One is the Homestead Trail and the other is a trail connection from Pine Canyon Road to Homestead Drive. The intended purpose is for hiking, biking, and nature walks by both locals and guests. And this section is an integral part of the Trails Master Plan for Midway City and the greater trails plan for the valley.
 

Wasatch Mountain State Park Trails – Bicycle Repair Stations
Grant funding received: $3,535
Having repair stations located at trail heads and along lengthy bike trails ensures safety for riders and allows bikers to stay and play on the trails longer. These repair stations provide quick and convenient access to basic bike tools to fix a flat, tighten brakes, or perform other basic bike maintenance.
 

Soldier Hollow Snowmaking Restoration
Grant funding received: $150,000
The Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation is known statewide and even nationally for its excellent maintenance of Olympic facilities in Utah. This community asset requires year-round maintenance and repair work to stay in peak condition. It serves as a training location for Olympic athletes, competitive recreationalists, visitors, and locals. As a major winter recreational site in the valley, funding of this nature is vital to maintain, replace, and improve critical water recreation infrastructure.
 

The Healthy Communities Sport Spot – Accessible Winter Recreation
Grant funding received: $10,000
Another project by the Utah Olympic Legacy Foundation – this funding is intended to develop and grow “outdoor classroom” recreational opportunities for our community. Recognizing our growing winter audience demand, these winter-based projects are essential to the success of our tourism industry.
 

Outdoor recreation helps grow Utah’s economy and communities. Heber Valley relies on outdoor recreation amenities to attract tourists to the region, as well as enriching the quality of life for its residents. Through these grant programs, the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation supports the mission of ensuring Utahns can live a healthy and active lifestyle while increasing economic vitality for all areas of the state. To learn more about the OOR, visit business.utah.gov/outdoor. For more information about the 2021 Utah OOR Grant Funding recipients, please click here.

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About Heber Valley
Heber Valley is surrounded by stunning mountain views, three pristine lakes, over 90 holes of public golf at five courses, hundreds of miles of hiking, biking, and off roading trails, over 15 miles of blue-ribbon fly fishing streams, the Homestead Crater – a 10,000 year old geothermal hot spring, the world’s longest continuous zip line, the historic Heber Valley Railroad, and a Swiss village-themed town. Come experience one of Mother Nature’s favorite destinations. To learn more, visit gohebervalley.com.