Residents agree trails are important
More than 94 percent of Utah residents said having quality trails is important to them, according to the results of a survey by USU’s Institute for Outdoor Recreation and Tourism (IORT).
A professional report produced by Steven W. Burr, Dale J. Blahna, Douglas K. Reiter and Michael F. Butkus said the survey was done in September 2001 as a part of Gov. Michael Leavitt’s Trails Initiative to determine residents’ attitudes toward recreational trail systems.
The statewide study surveyed 2,590 adults. Its purpose was to “substantiate their opinions on the values and benefits of recreational trails, their awareness and use of trails and their perception of needs and preferences related to trails in the state,” according to the report.
Seven planning districts were included in the survey, and Cache County was included in the Bear River District for this project.
According to the report, 46.8 percent of respondents in the Bear River District had used a trail in Utah within the past 12 months, and the average age of those users was 36.4 years old. People between the ages of 18 and 29 made up 42.2 percent of trail users.
Jeff Gilbert, community development director for the Bear River Association of Governments, said students are some of the highest users of the trail system, and it provides a great amenity for them.
He said, “Having quick access to trails is a positive asset for students at USU.”
Many students at USU take advantage of the trails throughout the region for hiking, biking, horse riding, snow shoeing and cross country skiing.
Jake Young, a senior majoring in Spanish, said trails are a great way to explore the backcountry without the danger of getting completely lost and being able to plan distance and time.
“Trails just open up the backcountry to everyone,” Young said.
“Whenever anyone asks me what my favorite season is, of course it is the current one. And when they ask me what my favorite sport is, that also goes along with the season,” Young said, “Right now, it’s skiing; during the summer it’s biking. You can always use the trails.”
According to IORT’s report, 71.1 percent of users had hiked on trails, with other activities including walking, backpacking, jogging, biking, horseback riding, skiing, snow shoeing, skateboarding, wildlife viewing and heritage activities.
Close access to trails is one reason many Utah residents participate in these activities. Of trail users in the Bear River District, 89 percent said they knew of at least one trail within 15 minutes of their home or workplace. Even 56.3 percent of non-users said they knew of a close trail, according to the report.
Logan has many trails in close proximity. Logan Canyon provides a plethora of trails within a few minutes of USU’s campus, and Gilbert said one of the first sections of the new Bonneville Shoreline Trail runs between Green Canyon and Logan Canyon, providing quick access for students just above First Dam.
More than 62 percent of trail users in the Bear River District could get to their favorite trail in less than 30 minutes.
Steve Klass, public involvement coordinator for the Northern Bonneville Shoreline Trail Master Plan, called these nearby trails “Urban Interface Trails,” and alluded to a movie and said, “If you build them, people will come.”
When asked if they would like to use the trails more often, 83.2 percent of trail users and 57.4 percent of non-users said yes, according to IORT’s report.
Sixty-one percent of the respondents cited lack of time as their main reason for not using the trails as much as they liked, and other reasons included personal health concerns, inconvenience, small children, not enough information or little interest.
Trails can provide much beyond recreation, though, Young said. He said physical activity, emotional release, access to nature and education are all very viable uses for trails.
Nine out of 10 survey respondents said trails were important because they preserved history and allowed users to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Beyond this, Gilbert cited monetary benefits of trails.
“Even non-users can appreciate trails and the quality of life issues that have an economic impact on the community,” he said.
Gilbert said trails are attractive to potential home buyers in the area and usually cause an increase in property value.
Sixty-three percent of trail users and 53.8 percent of non-users in the IORT survey said they saw trails in their area as having direct economic benefits to the respective local communities.
In the survey, 81.5 percent of trail users supported the use of additional public funds for non-motorized trails.
When asked if they would support a tax increase to enhance use and enjoyment of trails in Utah, 59 percent of trail users and 33 percent of non-users said they would.
“This is very significant since it relates directly to people’s pocketbooks,” Gilbert said.
One new trail system, The Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST), will hopefully provide non-motorized access from south of Provo to Logan, and perhaps beyond, Klass said.
Klass said public meetings were held in October 2001 to introduce concepts and glean citizen’s ideas for the BST. The results of these meetings will be shown in an open house on Monday, Feb. 4, where the Draft Master Plan for the Northern Utah portion of the BST will be on display. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
“Some of the showcase sections of the BST may be in Northern Utah and people involved need all the help and support they can get,” Klass said.