A nonprofit dedicated to preserving a popular piece of the Park City culture has found a permanent home after 30 years — signaling an end to its couch-surfing days.
Mountain Trails Foundation was formed in the early 1990s, when there were a handful of routes on private land. It has helped build, maintain and protect hundreds of miles of trails since then. But as the community has grown, so has the nonprofit and its mission to connect people and nature.
Lora Smith became Mountain Trails Foundation’s executive director in 2021 after working as its resource manager and development director for nearly 10 years. The search for a facility started when it became difficult for the nonprofit to house its equipment, tools and staff.
The foundation needed a large garage with small office space and parking in the Park City area, all within a nonprofit budget, but couldn’t find the type of property it sought even after years of searching.
But things changed three years ago. Smith called neighbor Vern Belcher to ask if he had any space available around the Quinn’s Junction area. Belcher didn’t, but he disclosed he was thinking about selling his barn.
Mountain Trails Foundation struck a lease-to-own deal with Belcher, which gave the nonprofit three years to save for the purchase of the building. Smith also praised the landlord’s generosity, saying he applied all of the rent payments to the purchase price.
About two weeks ago, Smith signed the documents finalizing the purchase. Mountain Trails Foundation is also renting its extra square footage to the Christian Center of Park City, which needed garage space. It’s a win-win for Smith.
“Having a space that is permanent means we can organize, become efficient and grounded,” she said. “It’s the difference between being homeless, moving sometimes twice in a year, scattered all over the county in storage sheds and employee garages, versus having a stable, permanent, organized home.”
Mountain Trails Foundation has accomplished more in the past two years while renting the building than it ever has before, according to Smith. The space has helped unite the team and allowed them to focus on other things rather than being stressed about their next move.
In 2022, crews maintained 200 miles of trail and completed several projects, including Sparky at Clark Ranch, Big Easy, Mother Urban, Milky Way at SkyRidge, Lynx Trail at Park City Heights, CynCity, Change Reaction and Deer Valley trail connections for hikers. Work also progressed at Bonanza Loop, though it was ultimately delayed.
The foundation this year remains committed to trail maintenance, which includes recreating and restoring infrastructure, as well as extending a few trails, replacing the signage at Round Valley and other work such as a lower Spiro trail alternative, a 9K hike-only trail, a multi-use trail and other e-bike or mountain bike friendly projects.
The nonprofit focuses on meaningful connections, specific uses or problem-solving rather than building endless miles of trails. Mountain Trails Foundation spends around $1 million a year building, maintaining and advocating for trails, according to Smith.
While Mountain Trails Foundation receives limited funding from tax dollars, the bulk of its budget comes from donations and sponsors. Smith estimated there are around 1,000 active donors compared to 50,000 trail users. That means only around 2% of recreationists are paying into the system.
The nonprofit’s greatest expense is paying its trail crew, or the boots in the dirt. The 10-person trails crew works full-time year-round and is responsible for trail maintenance, major overhauls and building new trails. There are also about 250 volunteers who donate around 1,000 hours annually.
“We pay a higher wage as a strategy to retain top-quality professional trail builders and employees. This is extremely demanding work, and our crew deserves to earn a comfortable, livable wage,” Smith said.
The work of the Mountain Trails Foundation has made a positive impact on the health, culture and economy of Summit County. Smith hopes that with a permanent home, the nonprofit will continue its mission and look to the future.
That’s good for the trails it cares for, and the people who use them, she said.