Park City Mayor Nann Worel won’t seek reelection, sets ambitious goals for final year

Mayor Nann Worel at the State of Park City address on March 26, 2025. Photo: TownLift//Randi Sidman-Moore

PARK CITY, Utah — Mayor Nann Worel announced Tuesday that she will not seek reelection, ending her tenure as Park City’s first female mayor when her term expires in January 2026. However, she made it clear that she isn’t stepping away quietly.

“The decision was not made lightly, and it comes with a deep appreciation for the privilege it has been to serve this community for 15 years,” Worel said during her State of Park City address. “Five on the planning commission, six years on the city council, and now four years as Park City’s first female mayor. It’s time for me to step aside and pursue some other opportunities.”

Worel, who moved to Park City full-time in 2008, spoke emotionally about her deep connection to the community.

“Park City is my home, my passion, and my extended family,” she said. “Every challenge this community has faced, we have faced together. Every moment we have celebrated, we have celebrated together. I truly believe this is an extraordinary place filled with extraordinary people.”

But while Worel may be nearing the end of her term, she emphasized that she is not slowing down.

“Let me be clear, while I won’t be running again, I’m far from done,” she said. “This is not a farewell tour—it’s a final stretch to drive meaningful progress on the issues that will define our city’s future. Now is the time to focus. Now is the time to act.”

Pushing for progress in 2025

Worel laid out a timeline of priorities she expects the Park City Council to address before the end of the year:

• By June 1: Identify a final location for a new senior center and begin seeking developers for the project.
• By June 1: Select a developer for the long-stalled Bonanza Drive and Kearns Boulevard project and finalize negotiations with the Kimball Art Center on a parcel within that development.
• By September 1: Decide on a location for a new park-and-ride along State Route 248 and begin designing the project, backed by $15 million from Deer Valley Resort as part of its Snow Park Village development agreement.

Worel stressed the importance of securing these plans before the next election to avoid delays.

“Past experience has shown that turnover in council members often changes the trajectory of projects that are underway,” she said. “Let’s make significant progress on a park-and-ride that can’t easily be derailed by potential future changes in leadership.”

She also urged the council to finalize a traffic and parking plan for Main Street and begin improvements to Miner’s Park to enhance the Old Town experience. Additionally, she called for new incentives to attract and retain workers, emphasizing that Park City’s workforce is “critical to the vibrancy and success of our community.”

A legacy of leadership

Worel has played a key role in securing Park City’s place in the 2034 Winter Olympics and currently serves as vice chair of the Host Communities Committee, working alongside Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who chairs the committee.

She has worked to keep the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, despite ongoing uncertainty about the festival’s future in the state.

“If the Sundance Institute chooses to leave our state, we will not only survive — we will thrive,” Worel said.

With her term set to expire in January, voters will elect a new mayor in November, though no candidates have officially announced a campaign.

While Worel won’t be seeking another term, she made it clear that she expects city leaders to push forward in the months ahead.

“Now is the time to focus. Now is the time to act,” she said.