Bonanza Flat, the bit of controversial land near Guardsman Pass between Big Cottonwood Canyon and Park City, will remain open space after a behemoth community fundraising effort. After many months of collecting donations from non-profits, individuals, and counties and cities, Park City officials now say they have enough cash to seal the $38 million deal. All 1,350 acres of Bonanza Flat will remain undeveloped and open to the public.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the Salt Lake County Council voted to approve $1.5 million to the effort which will close the funding gap enough to meet the sale deadline by just two days.
Bonanza Flat is very popular for outdoor recreation. The area includes Peak 10420, which is sees a lot of backcountry skiing traffic. The land is also used by hikers to Blood Lake and for mountain bikers riding the Wasatch Crest Trail. There have been several plans for development under the ownership of Talisker (who used to own Canyons Resort). But Park City ponied up 25-million dollars from a bond approved by voters to purchase the land. Fundraising continued from there until the goal was met by the slightest of margins.
This is a big win for land conservation, open space, and outdoor recreation in one of the most important corners of the Wasatch Mountains. Everyone who donated and helped preserve this land should crack open their drink of choice and celebrate, because we all benefit from the preservation of Bonanza Flat.