Run-A-Muk Reopens: Wagging tails, clean trails and one golden poop surprise

Photo: Rebecca Brenner

PARK CITY, Utah— Run-A-Muk, Summit County’s off-leash open space, reopened Wednesday after a monthlong rest, greeting dogs and their owners with freshly cleared trails and the scent of sage.

During the spring hiatus, Basin Recreation and community volunteers removed 163 pounds of pet waste and other trash from the 43-acre property. Crews recovered items ranging from a metal T-post to a pair of lost paw boots — and one spray-painted “golden poop,” a scavenger-hunt prize hidden to reward diligent helpers.

Long-time Park City resident Randi Jo Greenberg and her dog, Rosie Noodle, claimed the treasure.

“It was really great,” Greenberg said. “Rosie Noodle and I were doing our cleanup like we always do, and I looked down and was standing almost right on top of the golden poop. I’ve been looking for years and always wondered, Are there really poops? It turns out there are — and I found one.”

Greenberg said her canine companion received a new toy and treats, while she walked away with a Hugo Coffee gift card. “The thrill of winning was enough,” she added. “The prize just made it even more awesome.”

Basin Recreation plans another volunteer cleanup in the fall and will again hide a golden poop for participants to find. Details will appear on the district’s events calendar.

Run-A-Muk is open daily from dawn to dusk. Owners must leash dogs in the parking lot, carry waste bags and pack out all trash.