The Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation announced Thursday the award of more than $20 million to 31 outdoor recreation projects across the state, including land acquisition in the recreation area from the Ure ranch.

The funding, made possible through legislative appropriations and the Outdoor Adventure Infrastructure Fund, marks a significant investment in the state’s outdoor amenities, ensuring access, sustainability and enhanced experiences for all Utahns and visitors, the division said in a press release.

The awarded projects include a variety of initiatives, including new infrastructure development, restoration efforts, land acquisition, feasibility studies and long-term recreation planning. The division said the funding reflects the mission of the Outdoor Recreation Initiative, recently created by the Legislature and overseen by the division, to advocate for stewardship, sustainable visitation, safety, education and community engagement across the state.

“Through the Outdoor Recreation Initiative, we are joining forces across Utah to build a better future for outdoor recreation by supporting local communities, building capacity, and removing barriers regionally ” said Patrick Morrison, recreation program director for the Outdoor Recreation Division. “Funding and creating regional recreation councils demonstrates Utah’s commitment to improving outdoor spaces, preserving natural resources, and ensuring every Utahn has access to the incredible opportunities our state has to offer.”

The Outdoor Recreation Initiative was created to create a unified framework for the management and development of outdoor recreation in Utah, the division said. At the heart of its structure are regional councils that bring together community leaders, land managers and outdoor stakeholders to collaborate on solutions and strategies for sustainable recreation. The initiative aims to ensure outdoor spaces are preserved and accessible for future generations while promoting economic growth and a high quality of life in Utah.

“ORI represents a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges of current recreation needs and being proactive about the future,” Morrison said. “By connecting local and regional voices, we foster an inclusive, locally led vision for the future of Utah’s outdoors. »

Highlights of the awarded projects:

• 3 million dollars for the Beas-Lewis Campground project
• $2 million to connect Sand Mountain trails
• $1.7 million for Lucerne campground restoration
• $1.3 million for improvements to Kent’s Lake Campground
• $1.1 million for Mud Springs trail system
• 1 million dollars each for Pineview Reservoir Phase 3, 2025 Harbor Ramp Reconstruction and Utah Avalanche Center Machine Learning Recreation Study
• $518,000 to restore safe access to the Upper American Fork Canyon (FR085)
• $500,000 for the acquisition of land for the Ure Ranch Recreation Area
• $400,000 for North Wash boat ramp, Cataract Canyon

For the full list of projects and funding details, please visit recreation.utah.gov/outdoor-recreation-initiative.

DOR’s next round of Utah Outdoor Recreation grants will open on Monday, January 13, 2025. The division has awarded more than $15 million to 100 infrastructure projects across the state over the 2024 cycle earlier this year.

For more information about the Outdoor Recreation Division and available grants, visit recreation.utah.gov.

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