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Show Viewpoints The A-27 Park Record. Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, March 16-19, 2019 editorial Residents should press Katz on issues critical to the community M guest editorial Park City is evolving, but there is one change we can prevent FRODE JENSEN Park City Like many of us, when I first drove up the canyon from Salt Lake City to Park City, I knew this was the place for me, notwithstanding in my case the expensive speeding ticket I attracted from the Utah Highway Patrol with my rental SUV. Shortly thereafter, Kitty and I moved here full-time and have never regretted our decision. That was almost seven years ago, and in that relatively short time we have seen many changes in town. We sympathize with Parkites who have been here much longer who are concerned that their home is in some ways becoming unrecognizable. Just in our time, the traffic has greatly increased (with no real solution in sight), the ski trails are much more crowded (and some say dangerous!), and property values are (or have) skyrocketed out of reach for anyone on an ordinary budget. Of great concern to many of us, our local vibe continues to pulse in some ways more and more in the inevitable direction of a Disneyland-esque megaresort, away The Park Record Staff PUBLISHER ....................... Andy Bernhard Editor ................................... Bubba Brown Staff Writers ......................Jay Hamburger Scott Iwasaki Angelique McNaughton Ben Ramsey Carolyn Webber Alder Contributing ............................. Tom Clyde Writers Jay Meehan Teri Orr Amy Roberts Tom Kelly Joe Lair Copy Editor ............................ James Hoyt Engagement Editor..Christopher Samuels Photographer .........................Tanzi Propst Circulation Manager ............. Lacy Brundy Accounting Manager ......... Jennifer Snow ADVERTISING Advertising Director ........... Valerie Spung Advertising Sales ................... Jodi Hecker Erin Donnelly Lindsay Lane Sharon Bush Events Manager ................. Julie Bernhard Production Director ..................Ben Olson Production ........................Chelsea Babbitt from the really appealing low-key, oldtime ski town that attracted us here. But one thing that has not changed and will not change if we all pull together is the glorious natural beauty which surrounds us. Whether we ski or ride or hike in our wonderful mountains or simply gaze up at them from our homes, we know (and this is no exaggeration) that we are truly blessed to live in this place. This is also true of the natural beauty of many of our streets and trails and neighborhoods, especially the areas that have already been forever saved in their bucolic state, like McPolin Farm and Round Valley and the Swaner Preserve. To me, one of the most special places is the area around Old Ranch Road. I’m a road biker and one of my regular rides takes me down Old Ranch and past the Osguthorpe Farm. The spectacular panoramas of green fields and farm buildings below the Wasatch Back and cloud-studded blue skies above fills me with joy and draws me back time and time again. I can’t get enough of it. Whether you are a cyclist or a dog walker or a jogger or you just occasionally drive through, I’m sure you know what I mean. This is a part of the unique beauty of Park City which we can save. Working with the Osguthorpe family, the Summit Land Conservancy has entered into an agreement to acquire a conservation easement on the 158-acre farm to forever protect it from residential or commercial development. The Conservancy’s efforts are being supported by substantial grants from the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service and from Summit County, as well as hundreds of donations already made by Parkites, including major contributions from the Osguthorpe family itself. The deadline to complete the transaction is approaching and the Conservancy still needs to raise almost $600,000. This is a large amount, but it is an achievable goal if all of us who love this place rally today and make a generous contribution reflecting the incalculable value we enjoy every day, and will enjoy in perpetuity, from our wonderful surroundings. In these contentious times, I hope you will join me in supporting this uncontentious goal, which hopefully everyone in town can agree is worthy of our support. For the record onday evening is shaping up to be epic. Rob Katz, chairman and CEO of Vail Resorts, is slated to speak at a community event put on by the Leadership Park City program. It will be a rare public appearance in town by Katz, one of the most important figures in the ski industry and whose company holds significant influence in shaping Park City. Even more rare will be the chance for Parkites to interact with him during a question-and-answer session. It’s an opportunity residents should make the most of by pressing Katz on issues critical to our town. It would be enlightening, for instance, to hear Katz’ opinion about whether a recent minimum wage hike to $12.25 at Park City Mountain Resort is adequate as the cost of living continues to rise, pricing out workers vital to both the local economy and the concept of a vibrant, diverse community. Parkites should also push him to weigh in on the related issue of affordable housing. Each winter, Park City’s ski resorts bring in hundreds of seasonal employees, and many are left scrambling to find a place to stay in the area’s ultra-competitive and thinning long-term rental market. Tales of workers living in substandard conditions are common, and advocates have rightly called on the resorts to do more to provide housing for the people they rely on to keep the lifts turning. The future of the PCMR base area is another topic worth broaching. Vail Resorts has taken early steps toward planning a major project on what is currently the PCMR parking lots, where the company holds overall development rights dating back to the 1990s. Residents should probe what specific steps the company will take to ensure the project aligns with the community’s vision and ideals. Prior to the question-and-answer session, Katz will deliver prepared remarks, then speak about leadership during a discussion with Myles Rademan, who helms the Leadership Park City program. Doubtless, as the head of a company as successful as Vail Resorts, Katz has plenty of intriguing things to say on the topic. But few entities in Park City have the kind of power that Vail Resorts, and by extension Katz, wields. In contrast to the community’s relationship with someone like an elected official, though, there are few opportunities to confront him on matters urgent to the state of our city. The occasion on Monday to do so is meaningful. And it’s not one Parkites should take lightly. Katz is scheduled to speak at Leadership Park City’s Community Leadership Lecture at 7 p.m. Monday in the Park City Library’s Santy Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public. letters to the editor Give again, or for the first time Editor: There is an urgent need for all of us to respond to saving the Osguthorpe Farm along Old Ranch Road, preserving this 158-acres from development — saving it from development with concrete, asphalt and other non-water absorbing materials, that do not contribute to water-table, unlike the Osguthorpe Farm does. We only have until the end of this month, basically 15 more days, to raise the money to save this heritage piece of precious land — that has been here almost “forever,” and also which is one of the reasons why we all moved here in the first place — agricultural heritage and open space. We’re almost there, but not yet! Whether you have a dollar or perhaps more, please donate as soon as possible to wesaveland.org/osguthorpe, or call Summit Land Conservancy and donate there, too. We’re so close, but without your help, it may not happen, so please give again, or for the first time, whatever you can, to save a big part of our heritage of Summit County and the Park City community. As Camilla Kragius reminded us last week, even an 8-year-old young man, Tenneson Klein, donated his entire life savings, and is still fundraising to save the Osguthorpe Farm. If Tenneson can donate all his money with his heart, so should we all, with whatever we can, to SAVE THE FARM! Thank you so much! Donna VanBuren Park City Finish line is within sight Editor: It is coming down to the final days of the effort to close the “deal” for the Osguthorpe Farm. The Summit Land Conservancy is seeking to ensure that the 158-acre farm located just off S.R. 224 remains the Green Heart of the Basin. By arranging Ffderal grants ($8.8 million), a significant concession from the appraised value by the owners ($3.9 million) and donations from the community ($4.4 million), Summit Land will keep the farm as it is, a working farm, green space and treasure for the Park City community. There is only one problem, a $600,000 shortfall that must be addressed before the end of March. Rare is it that 158 acres can be saved by additional gifts of just $3,800 per acre ($600,000/158 acres). Summit Land has received several matching gift opportunities and a host of other incentives remain available to encourage prospective donors. But the single biggest motivation may be the thought that, despite the significant resources raised to date, the project may go for naught. Should the $600,000 gap not be closed over the next two weeks, the key elements of the funding raised so far will go away and with it the legacy of farm acreage in that part of the Basin. Please take a look at the Summit Land Conservancy web page (www. wesaveland.org). Think about the impact that your contribution can make to the future of the community. The finish line is within sight, help make this important effort a reality. Jack Rubin Park Meadows Photos by Christopher Samuels Asked at Park City Mountain Resort Should the ski resorts extend their seasons? Bambi Knight Old Town “We used to be open until the end of April and even May. We were open as long as we had snow. Sure! That’s what we’re here for, right? What else are we gonna do with it?” Brady Meek Provo “Absolutely. I want to ski longer and get my money’s worth out of my season pass. I love spring riding and if they’re spraying a little bit of snow at the bottom, I’d love to go longer. “ Camila Saseain Buenos Aires, Argentina “I’m leaving the 29th anyway, I couldn’t extend my (J-1) visa due to my university letter. (My classes started) this week. We can only stay in the exchange program as long as your university letter says that if you start (classes) on a certain date, you cannot work if you are supposed to be at college.” Jessica Miller Brooklyn, New York “Absolutely, if the weather permitted it. I’m from New York so we don’t get a chance to go so late in the season, but it’d be really fun if the weather permitted and we could come out in April or May and ride.” Richard Colton Waterford, Michigan “It should open longer. Spring breaks for kids and college students are spread out over such a long time. Some start in February and some go through the end of April. It has to be a gametime decision depending on the weather.” Rob Costa London “Sure, as long as you can. When you hear places like Mammoth can stay open until the Fourth of July, you’re like, ‘God, might as well try and get in as much of the season as you can.’ As long as the conditions held.” See these photos and more by following The Park Record on Facebook.com/parkrecord and Instagram.com/parkrecord |