Sustainable Tourism Grants propel Park City businesses toward eco-friendly initiatives

The Trailhead Webcam Project allows users to see up-to-date statuses of high congestion areas. Photo: Park City Municipal

PARK CITY, Utah — This year, 22 Park City businesses were awarded Sustainable Tourism Grants by the Park City Chamber of Commerce, advancing the community’s efforts toward environmental stewardship and sustainable tourism. The grants, totaling up to $30,000 each, support innovative projects that align with the Park City & Summit County Sustainable Tourism Plan.

The projects were chosen in order to help support key sustainable tourism priorities – visitor dispersion, visitor impact management, visitor product development, and visitor economy support. Below are a few of the projects that won grants, and this is what they have been up to:

fulFILLed Lifestyle Co.

fulFILLed Lifestyle Co. received a Sustainable Tourism Grant in 2023 to launch a refill pilot project aimed at reducing single-use toiletries in Park City’s hotel and lodging industry. The initiative began with Abode Luxury Rentals, where 75 bathrooms at Black Bear Lodge transitioned to refillable amenities, preventing an estimated 15,000 plastic bottles from entering the waste stream annually.

Julie Finnegan, impact manager at Abode Luxury Rentals, emphasized the project’s environmental benefits: “Transitioning to refillable amenities aligns with our mission to reduce our environmental footprint. By eliminating single-use plastic waste, we’re not only preserving natural resources but also setting a new standard for sustainable hospitality in Park City.”

The project also ensures guest well-being by providing non-toxic, biodegradable, and cruelty-free products. Rachel Alday, owner of Abode Luxury Rentals, stated, “Our commitment to clean, non-toxic products reflects our dedication to providing a luxurious yet eco-conscious accommodation that prioritizes both guest well-being and environmental stewardship.”

Building on the success of the initial phase, fulFILLed Lifestyle Co. has secured a 2024 grant to expand the pilot project to at least two additional Park City hotels, collaborating with the Green Business Program and the Park City Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau (PCCVB).

Trailhead Webcam Project

The Trailhead Webcam Project, another grant recipient, has successfully installed live cameras at various trailheads in Bonanza Flat and throughout Park City. These cameras allow prospective trail users to check parking statuses and plan their visits, reducing vehicle congestion at trailheads and enhancing user experience.

“These cameras provide valuable data for land management and offer a unique way to share the natural beauty of Park City with the world,” said Billy Kurek, Trail Ranger for Park City Municipal. The cameras have been operational for about two years and are shared with partner organizations like Basin Recreation, Mountain Trails Foundation, and Utah Open Lands.

“We hope to continue to expand this program over time as we find opportunities to fund additional cameras and focus in on some of our busiest trail areas,” Kurek said. To check out the trail cams, visit the Park City Trails website. 

Friends of Park City Ski Mountain Mining History

The Friends of Park City Ski Mountain Mining History, a project under the Park City Museum, was awarded $15,000 in 2023 to preserve and stabilize the Silver King and Thaynes headframe structures at Park City Mountain Resort. This grant funded the critical first phase of cleaning the interiors to make them safe for further restoration work.

Morgan Pierce, executive director of the Park City Museum, explained, “The goal is ‘adaptive re-use’ of the historic structures to conduct guided tours, allowing visitors to interact with important mining artifacts and learn about Park City’s rich mining history.”

The restoration plan is scheduled for completion in 2027, aiming to restore the Silver King Headframe exterior to its appearance 100 years ago.

These grants exemplify Park City’s commitment to sustainable tourism, promoting environmental stewardship, and preserving the community’s natural and historical resources for future generations. For a full list of grant recipients for 2024 visit the Park City Chamber of Commerce website.