Park City trail lovers have long relied on Mountain Trails Foundation (MTF) to shape, maintain, and protect the paths that weave through Summit and Wasatch County’s stunning landscape. Now led by its fourth executive director, Lora Anthony, MTF is ushering in a new chapter of trail stewardship, blending its deep roots with forward-thinking initiatives.
A Passion for the Outdoors
Raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, Anthony has always felt a strong connection to the outdoors. However, as concrete swallowed her hometown, she knew it was time for a change. Seeking an active, family-oriented lifestyle, she set her sights on Park City, where the trails provided not just escape, but connection.
“The great thing about trails in this community is that they’re open and free to everybody,” Anthony shares. “We have trails built for every skill level, age, and trail user type. From winter snow bikes, snowshoers, and Nordic skiing, to dirt season trail running, mountain biking, and hiking, Park City’s trails have something for everybody. Trails are a beautiful thing this community has created.”
Her entry into the foundation began simply—as a volunteer coach for Team Sugar. There, she connected with then-executive director Charlie Sturgis, a friendship that led to her joining the MTF team as a resource manager in 2012. Nearly a decade later, she was named the organization’s executive director in 2021.
The Mission Behind the Miles
While Park City’s trails have long been celebrated for their accessibility and beauty, growing use and the evolving climate have made maintenance a top priority. The foundation is facing this challenge head-on. MTF has consistently maintained the trails with a professional trail crew, a key factor behind Park City’s globally recognized trail system. With the trail network expanding, user numbers increasing, and summers becoming progressively drier, maintaining these trails has become crucial.
To address these challenges, MTF employs a team of 16 professional trail crew members. Ten of these crew members will be dedicated to maintaining Park City’s trails, while the remaining crew will work on Kamas Valley and Heber Valley trails. To support this effort, the Wasatch Trails Foundation will contribute to fundraising to help cover the cost of the crew assigned to Heber Valley.
Building, maintaining, and protecting trails for non-motorized recreation is at the heart of MTF’s mission. The team leverages decades of support from the local community, using private donations and grant funding to further develop trail initiatives. Programs like the “Adopt A Trail” sponsorship provide maintenance for 94 specific trails, ensuring sustainability for years to come.
But it’s not just about upkeep. MTF also focuses on thoughtful trail design, working closely with local governments, land trusts, and community stakeholders to harmonize recreation with conservation.
“Our strength is in the trust we’ve built with the public over 32 years of service to the community,” Anthony explains.
The organization strives to deliver the world’s best trail experience to the widest range of non-motorized trail users, no matter the season. Key steps in achieving this include trail user education, strategic development, and strengthening relationships with local landowners. By continuing to prioritize conservation and accessibility, MTF ensures the trails’ legacy for future generations.
“When trails are properly built, they allow gentle access to open spaces and keep people out of sensitive areas,” Anthony says. “Trails are a tool for controlling human behavior. If you don’t build environmentally sensible trails, then ‘social trails’ develop, and those are often detrimental to both recreation and conservation values.”
