At the heart of the Park City Chamber’s mission — and that of our partners — is to achieve a thriving, balanced and sustainable regional tourism economy. We’ve taken another big step toward that goal with our 2025 Sustainable Tourism Grants, investing in more than a dozen diverse local initiatives powered by the people bringing the vision to life.
Think of it as sustainable tourism in action. This year’s awards total $150,000 and cover the waterfront of local sustainability initiatives, from free cross-country skiing to voluntourism, bringing history to life, and supporting local artists.
For example, with help from our grant, the National Ability Center will attract more out-of-state visitors eager to volunteer, a growing trend among travelers looking to contribute to the destinations they visit. NAC’s empowerment of people with disabilities and their exhilarating emphasis on accessible year-round outdoor recreation make them perfect for introducing our Mountainkind spirit and embracing our goals of accessibility and inclusivity.
A Sustainable Tourism Grant will help the Summit Land Conservancy maintain free cross-country skiing at the iconic Osguthorpe Farm property for locals and visitors. The conservancy and the community helped the Osguthorpe family gain a protective easement in 2021, conserving this 158-acre plot as a working farm and a historic gem. It’s a uniquely Park City partnership we are happy to support. This project supports our vision to embrace our winter and Olympic legacies and to provide year-round recreational opportunities for all.
After submitting proposals to a chamber-appointed volunteer committee and winning approval from our board, let’s meet this year’s awardees:
- Alf Engen Ski Museum
- Park City Historical Society
- Raising Voices Film & Conversation Series
- Winter X Country Ski Access (Osguthorpe Farm)
- Recycle Utah (Events recycling program)
- Summit Community Gardens (EATS)
- National Ability Center (voluntourism program)
- Summit Arts Market
- East and South Summit Pop-up Film Screenings
- Western Uinta Hut System
- Park City Historic Mine Hiking Trail
- North Summit newsletter
- CREATE PC Local Artist Collective
- Park City Opera (“The Barber of Seville”)
The Sustainable Tourism Grant program is a cornerstone of the long-term Sustainable Tourism Plan launched in 2022 with support from residents, visitors, the Park City and Summit County councils. The plan points the way to a balanced community blending a tourism-based economy and environmental stewardship with respect for our culture, history, and spirit.
That respect for history and culture is evident in this year’s grants. We’re backing the Park City Opera’s “Barber of Seville” in August at the Santy Auditorium, our first staged opera in two decades, while bringing high quality films to rural east and west Summit County with pop-up screenings. The Summit Arts Market, Raising Voices Film & Conversation Series, and the CREATE PC Local Artist Collective are other avenues of artistic expression that won grant support.
These projects support the plan’s objective No. 7: To foster the development and management of Summit County’s art and culture tourism assets and also help support greater Summit County communities and enhance visitation in our summer months, when we need it.
The Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History keeps our historic past accessible. We’re supporting their seven miles of trails that introduce 30 historic mining sites with wayfaring and signage, plus the addition of an easy-to-use audio app.
Recycling efforts, a North Summit newsletter that helps residents stay informed on development and environmental issues, and support for local museums also won approval this year.
2025 marks our third round of Sustainable Tourism Grants that help fuel momentum toward consistent, long-term sustainability, a goal all Parkites cherish. We’re thankful for the volunteers who ran this year’s process and can’t wait to see how these amazing awardees will inspire us with their innovation and commitment in the months ahead.
Jennifer Wesselhoff is the president and CEO of the Park City Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.