Grandeur Peak Property Protected (UT)

SALT LAKE COUNTY, UT, 5/26/05 — The Trust for Public Land-Utah (TPL), Utah Open Lands, Save Our Canyons, and Salt Lake County announce today the permanent protection of a 14-acre property at the base of Grandeur Peak. TPL-Utah conveyed the land to Salt Lake County for use as public open space and trails, with Utah Open Lands holding a conservation easement that protects the property from development in perpetuity. This effort protects public access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, Grandeur Peak and the wilderness areas beyond.

“Grandeur Peak is truly a gem for our entire community and an invaluable addition to our trails and open space inventory,” says Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon. “The private-public partnership between the Trust for Public Land and Salt Lake County is a model for future open space and trail projects in the County.”

In 2001, with open space along the Wasatch Range rapidly disappearing, the nonprofit TPL borrowed $500,000 to purchase this property and prevent its imminent sale and development. Since then, TPL partnered with Utah Open Lands and Save Our Canyons to form the Grandeur Peak Open Space Preservation Fund to raise funds to repay the loan. With help from the Mount Olympus Community Council, Citizens for Grandeur Access, and many other organizations, TPL was able to secure a challenge grant from Salt Lake County to match funds raised through the community. This cooperative effort and the generosity of Salt Lake County, Salt Lake City, private foundations and individuals led to the successful protection of this unique property.

“The outpouring of support from the community has been tremendous,” says Wendy Fisher, executive director, Utah Open Lands. “City and county residents and visitors have long enjoyed informal access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, rock climbing sites, and the Grandeur Peak Wilderness at Parley’s Canyon.”

“The protection of the Grandeur Peak property is a real win for the people of our community. Access to the fabulous hiking and climbing in that area will now be forever protected for the public. It has truly been a very rewarding experience to work with Salt Lake County, Utah Open Lands and the Trust for Public Land. Everyone has worked very hard to ensure the success of the this project and it is now time to celebrate the collaborative efforts of everyone involved.” Lisa Smith, executive director, Save Our Canyons.

The property is located at the foot of the Parley’s Crossing pedestrian bridge, which spans Interstate 80 and is an important link for the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. Private sale of the parcel could have eliminated public access for Salt Lake residents and visitors.

“The protection of the Grandeur Peak property is at the heart of the Trust for Public Land’s mission of conserving land for people. Public access to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail for is now protected forever, and we did it together. We are very grateful to all our partners especially Salt Lake City and County, Utah Open Lands, and Save our Canyons for working hard together to protect this special place. And finally, we could not have completed this purchase without the incredible generosity of many Salt Lake County residents and the ongoing support of the Trust for Public Land’s generous donors,” said Alina Bokde, Utah project manager for the Trust for Public Land.

The Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) borders Utah’s urbanized center and provides tremendous recreational opportunities for the foothill communities below the Wasatch Mountains. Since 1998, TPL has been working in partnership with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail Committee, the Bonneville Resource Conservation and Development Council, the U.S. Forest Service, Salt Lake County and many cities and counties adjacent to the BST corridor in an effort to purchase critical “gap” properties along the BST and preserve public access.

The Trust for Public Land is a national nonprofit land conservation organization dedicated to preserving land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas ensuring livable communities for generations to come. TPL works with local, state, and federal agencies and grassroots community groups to protect open space nationwide. Since it’s founding in 1972, TPL has protected nearly 2 million acres of land in 46 states. In Utah since 1985, TPL has protected more than 40,000 acres throughout the state. The Trust for Public Land depends on the support and generosity of individuals, foundations, and businesses to achieve our land for people mission. For information, please visit us on the web at www.tpl.org.

Posted 5/2005