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Utah County holds public hearing on Bridal Falls land swap; officials stress conservation and say "There will be no gondola"
Summary
The county opened a public hearing on a proposed land exchange with the U.S. Forest Service to swap the base and upper parcels of Bridal Falls to create contiguous, county-managed parkland; staff and commissioners emphasized the area will remain subject to a conservation easement and that a gondola is off the table.
The Utah County Commission opened a public hearing on June 11 to discuss a proposed land swap with the U.S. Forest Service that would move the county-owned parcel at the base of Bridal Falls into contiguous county ownership in exchange for federal parcels near the top of the falls.
County staff member Richard explained the purpose of the swap as resolving management conflicts between county and federal jurisdictions and allowing the county to complete safety and access improvements in the area the county already maintains. Richard said the proposal is a land exchange, not a purchase, and that the area is governed by a conservation easement that preserves the site’s openness and prevents unsightly development.
The proposed improvements shown in county renderings would separate pedestrian and bicycle traffic at the falls — adding staggered gates and rerouting faster bicycle traffic around pedestrian areas — to reduce collisions where bicyclists and pedestrians currently cross paths near the base of the falls.
Public commenter Mark Allen of Protect and Reserve American Fork Canyon voiced concern about historical controversies at the site and potential infrastructure, saying it “feels like a family reunion, the haves, and the wannabes” and urging the county to keep the site fee‑free and free of commercialization. Allen asked whether the conservation easement is still held by the Utah Open Lands trust; staff answered that it is.
When asked directly about a possible gondola or tram, Richard replied plainly: “There will be no gondola. Period.” He said old tram facilities had been removed years ago and that the commission rescinded prior master-plan elements that contemplated such amenities.
Commissioner Beltran and other commissioners emphasized the county’s intent to keep Bridal Falls free and accessible. Beltran said the county’s earlier decision to seek state-monument status and a conservation easement was intended to preserve free public access; he called the swap “simply bringing the land back to us” so local officials could make stewardship decisions.
Staff said some construction work on areas the county already owns will begin this year; work on parcels that would be transferred depends on the federal process. County staff said congressional contacts had indicated they have the materials they need to advance the federal side of the exchange but that timing remains subject to the Forest Service and federal approvals.
No final decision on the land exchange was recorded at the hearing. The commission opened and then closed the public hearing; further action will depend on completion of federal and congressional processes and any future commission votes.
Next steps: county staff will continue coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and congressional offices and return to the commission as the federal process advances.
