FILE PHOTO: trailhead. Photo by Heather Mount on Unsplash
LOGAN – The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation (DOR) has announced the awarding of more than $20 million in grants, marking the largest amount ever awarded by the state to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities throughout Utah. The grants, which include both Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant (UORG) funds and Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Recreation grants, will support a wide range of projects across the state.
A total of $16 million in UORG funds will be distributed among 90 outdoor recreation infrastructure projects in 24 counties. Additionally, $4.2 million in OHV Recreation grants will be allocated to 51 OHV-related projects in 28 counties. These grants will provide vital support for the development and improvement of outdoor recreational facilities and activities in communities across Utah.
Notably, projects in Cache, Box Elder, and Rich counties will receive over $2 million for eight projects. Among those are the Logan Outdoor Recreation Complex on the site of the Logan Landfill, which has been awarded $750,000, and the Bear Lake Legacy Pathway, which will receive the same amount. Other projects include a Providence City Skate Park ($200,000), the Maple Springs Park, Bicycle Trailhead, and Winter Wonderland: Phase 2 in Mantua ($200,000), non-motorized trail restoration throughout the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest ($149000), Mantua Danes Park ($15,000), Firefly Park Outdoor Classroom in Nibley ($15,000), and The Learning Circle at Stewart Nature Park in Logan ($9,770). The total estimated cost of these projects exceeds $6.5 million.
“We are thrilled to invest more than $20 million in Utah’s communities and outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Jason Curry, Director of the Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation. “The grants will enhance the quality of life for Utahns and visitors alike and will continue to bolster Utah as a premier outdoor recreation destination in the world. Utah is leading the way in how we invest, support and plan for one of our greatest resources, access to our natural spaces.”
In addition to the above projects, Utah State University Extension and Utah 4H also received a grant in the amount of $14,307.83 for their Bastian Agriculture Center in Salt Lake County. That grant is to be used to enhance an outdoor classroom and provide hands-on learning opportunities.
The grants are expected to benefit both rural areas and urban centers throughout the state. The supported projects will not only boost local economies but also enhance the state’s reputation as an outdoor recreation destination.
Details about each grant awarded to local projects are as follows:
Logan Outdoor Recreation Complex
Grant Recipient: City of Logan. Grant Total: $750,000. Total Project Cost: $2,392,293
The Logan Outdoor Recreation Complex is a five-part 194-acre regional outdoor recreation complex that includes an 85-acre bike trails facility, nature trails connecting nearby neighborhoods with an 18-hole disc golf course on 61.25 acres, 11-acre dog park, 24-acre fitness course and adventure playground with multi-generational equipment, and a 2.55-acre neighborhood park. The majority of this project repurposes the closing Logan Landfill and buffer zone, creating a community asset where development would not otherwise be allowed.
Bear Lake Legacy Pathway
Grant Recipient: Bear Lake Regional Commission. Grant Total: $750,000. Total Project Cost: $2,910,036.30
The proposed Bear Lake Legacy Pathway is a paved pedestrian trail to be completed around the 52 mile circumference of Bear Lake. This proposal seeks to complete a 3.6 mile segment that will provide a safe option to enjoy the beauty of Bear Lake.
Providence City Skate Park
Grant Recipient: Providence City. Grant Total: $200,000. Total Project Cost: $500,000
Providence City looking to create an exciting and unique skate park to accommodate the rapidly growing culture of outdoor recreation and extreme sports. The skate park will be centrally located in Providence City’s at it’s Zollinger Park, and will accommodate multiple extreme sports including skateboarding, BMXing, scootering, rollerblading, etc. The park will be built by a design/build firm and will be designed to accommodate all skill levels.
Maple Springs Park, Bicycle Trailhead & Winter Wonderland: Phase 2
Grant Recipient: Mantua Town Parks and Trails Committee. Grant Total: $200,000. Total Project Cost: $354,204.50
With Phase 1 work completed in 2022, Phase 2 will consist of: a) finishing off the sledding hill/amphitheater area (sod and landscaping work), b) building a bathroom, c) creating two pump tracks, d) adding biking/walking trails with some benches and safety lighting around the park d), building/expanding 1 mile of trail to double as a cross country snow ski trail, and e) expanding the south parking lot.
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache 2024 Non-Motorized Trail Restoration
Grant Recipient: USDA Forest Service. Grant Total: $149,000. Total Project Cost: $310,000
Uinta-Wasatch-Cache has prioritized trails across 7 districts and many Utah Counties for heavy reconstruction work. With Forest Service, Utah Conservation Corps and other partner crews and volunteers we will complete re-routes, structure maintenance and replacement, and trailway prism reestablishment on high-use and high-need trails.
Mantua Danes Park
Grant Recipient: Town of Mantua. Grant Total: $15,000. Total Project Cost: $53,917
Mantua is building a pavilion and park in close proximity to Board of Education land for a premier learning experience that encompasses history, ecology, geology, cultural diversity in an area that invites the appreciation of nature. The School District, home school participants, Charter Schools, residents, and recreationists can access QRs that relate local and heritage information, pictures and suggest learning activities.
Firefly Park Outdoor Classroom
Grant Recipient: Nibley City. Grant Total: $15,000. Total Project Cost: $30,000
An outdoor classroom is proposed for Firefly Park, one of the few nature parks in Cache Valley, Utah. The classroom will provide a dedicated space for immersive and interactive learning in an ecologically rich environment. It will draw people of various ages and abilities into the outdoors, enhance and expand learning opportunities, and instill an appreciation and understanding of the natural world – all of which are necessary to encourage environmental stewardship.
The Learning Circle at Stewart Nature Park
Grant Recipient: City of Logan. Grant Total: $9,770. Total Project Cost: $28,040
Construction of an outdoor gathering space in a nature park. The Learning Circle is a 30 ft. wide flat space surrounded on the perimeter by selected lowprofile natural rock for sitting and learning opportunities for youth and adults, spaced deliberately to accommodate access for persons in wheelchairs. A prominent feature will be to place four natural rocks in the Cardinal Direction highlighting summer and winter solstices. The project involves the removal of a dilapidated amphitheater.
Since 2015, the Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant has awarded over $50 million to 489 projects aimed at building or restoring outdoor recreation infrastructure across the state. Additionally, the OHV Recreation Grant has provided more than $10 million in funding to 270 projects since its inception in 2020.
Those interested in applying for the bi-annual OHV Recreation Grant can do so from Thursday, June 1 through July 31 at 5 p.m. More information and the application process can be found at recreation.utah.gov/grants/ohvr/.