Park City local Sally Elliott recognized for decades of public service, historic preservation

Sally Elliot reacts to receiving community service award. Photo: Tanzi Propst

PARK CITY, Utah — Sally Cousins Elliott was given the Trisha J. Worthington Community Service Award for decades of public service, volunteer work, and historic preservation in Park City and Summit County.

Elliott was named the award’s 2026 recipient during the Park City Community Foundation’s annual Grants Celebration.

The award, established in 2015, recognizes a member of the Park City and Summit County community who has dedicated significant time and talent to charitable work. It is named after Trisha J. Worthington, the Community Foundation’s founding executive director.

Don Roll, who nominated Elliott, said she has spent much of her adult life working to improve the Park City and Summit County community.

Elliott’s public service includes terms on the Park City Council and the Summit County Commission and Council. She has also held leadership roles with numerous local and statewide organizations, including the Utah Quality Growth Commission, Preservation Utah, the Park City Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Trails Foundation, Utah Open Lands, the Utah Women’s Political Caucus, and the Park City Museum.

She was also involved in the early efforts that led to the creation of Recycle Utah, beginning with conversations in 1988.

Historic preservation has been another major focus of Elliott’s work.

In 2015, she co-founded Friends of Ski Mountain Mining History, an all-volunteer organization focused on preserving Park City’s historic mining structures and history. The organization has helped save 14 mining structures so far, including the Silver King Coalition Mine Headframe Building, which recently won an award from Preservation Utah.

Elliott has also advocated for local mining structures to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has written about Park City history for the Park City Museum, Park City Magazine, and other publications.

Her volunteer work extends beyond historic preservation. Elliott was among the founders of the Park City Garden Club and has volunteered with the Park City Ski Education Foundation, the National Ability Center, Park City Museum, Preservation Utah, and other organizations.

Over the years, Elliott has received several awards recognizing her community service. Those include the Park City Board of Realtors’ Community Service Award in 2010, Recycle Utah’s Recycler of the Year award in 2012, and the Sierra Club’s Utah Political Leader of the Year award in 2007.

In 2024, she received the Lucybeth Rampton Lifetime Achievement Award from Preservation Utah and the Park City Chamber of Commerce’s Myles Rademan Spirit of Hospitality Award.

“Each year we look for someone whose generosity has helped shape this community. Sally Elliott is a shining example,” said Tim Fellow, a Community Fund Steering Committee member.

The award also includes a $1,000 grant from the Community Foundation to a nonprofit organization of Elliott’s choice.