As you may know, a Motorized Trail Application for an OHV/ATV Trailhead has been submitted to Utah State Parks and Recreation by the City of Escalante, to develop an OHV Trailhead at the old city park location. This application was submitted on May 4, and a decision will be made by the state on whether to fund this project in early July.

To view a copy of the trailhead application please click here. (pdf file)

To view the community survey results please click here and here. (pdf files)

If you are not in favor of seeing an OHV Trailhead in the middle of Escalante, it is very important to write letters to the state ASAP (within 10 days) to let them know this.

The Grand Canyon Trust feels it is most important to address:

• safety and noise issues related to promoting OHV staging activities within the city limits
• inappropriateness of the site as a "trailhead"
• the lack of public process (this application was not made available for public comment and was never officially approved at a city council meeting, despite the large budget outlay identified in the proposal)
• the additional maintenance burden this will place on the city when they've been unable to maintain the park as-is
• that the city has ignored the results of the city park survey in which the majority of survey respondents said they oppose a staging area/trailhead

Please send letters to:

Utah State Parks and Recreation         and        OHV Grant Advisory Council

Ms. Mary Tullius, Director                                   Fred Christensen, Chair

1594 W. North Temple, Suite 116                     1594 W. North Temple, Suite 116

Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6001                      Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-6001

Thank you!

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