Pacific Southwest

Title: The Utah Trails Initiative: Partnerships, Research, and Action

Author: Burr, Steven W.; Blahna, Dale J.; Reiter, Douglas K.; Butkus, Michael

Date: 2004

Source: Burr, Steven W.; Blahna, Dale J.; Reiter, Douglas K.; Butkus, Michael. The Utah Trails Initiative: Partnerships, Research, and Action. In: Proceedings of the Fourth Social Aspects and Recreation Research Symposium; 2004 February 4-6; San Francisco, California. San Francisco State University. 65-70

Description: As a result of changing social values regarding the development and use of our natural resources, more and more emphasis is being placed on the value of amenity resources, concerning scenery and aesthetics, opportunities for a diversity of recreation experiences, providing habitat for wildlife, and preserving biological diversity (Burr & Blahna, 2000; Siehl, 1990). Many people enjoy a variety of trail-based activities as a source of their recreation. With all their attributes and varieties of usage, trails and pathways are high priorities for many people, including the citizens of Utah. Trails provide access to UtahÂ’s outstanding public lands, opportunities for physical fitness and better health, economic benefit for local communities, and contribute to overall quality of life. In fact, Utahns are demanding more and better trails and pathways, as their use is a significant part of recreational activity, tourism, and lifestyle in Utah. As part of his Quality of Life endeavor, former Utah Governor Michael Leavitt responded to this demand by initiating an effort to create a statewide trails initiative, the “Olympic Legacy of Trails in Utah,” with the aim of developing a framework for future funding processes, planning, development, and maintenance for both motorized and non-motorized trails in Utah. Major objectives of the initiative include: 1) improving the quality of life in Utah; 2) encouraging business growth and vitality; 3) improving economic benefits for rural communities and improving statewide tourism; 4) encouraging local planners and developers to incorporate innovative open space and pathways design into developments; 5) increasing “walkability” in communities; 6) improving health and fitness of citizens; 7) ensuring and improving public access to public lands; and 8) identifying at least three priority trail projects in each of the seven Planning Districts in the state—urban and rural/motorized and non-motorized (State Division of Parks and Recreation, 2002).

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Citation

Burr, Steven W.; Blahna, Dale J.; Reiter, Douglas K.; Butkus, Michael   2004.  The Utah Trails Initiative: Partnerships, Research, and Action.   Burr, Steven W.; Blahna, Dale J.; Reiter, Douglas K.; Butkus, Michael. The Utah Trails Initiative: Partnerships, Research, and Action. In: Proceedings of the Fourth Social Aspects and Recreation Research Symposium; 2004 February 4-6; San Francisco, California. San Francisco State University. 65-70.