Bountiful council approves Eggett-to-Hobart trail connector after debate over parking and safety

The Bountiful City Council voted to accept a construction proposal from Elite Landscape Services for the Eggett Park–Hobart (Holbrook) trail connector, authorizing a contract for $123,260.

Supporters and neighbors described competing concerns before the vote. Resident Duane Boyce said he learned of the plan by accident and asked the council to “press pause” to study how a connector would affect his neighborhood, citing worries about traffic, parking and safety. Andres Aldave, who said he is an engineer and lives on Barton Creek Lane, warned that on busy weekends the park’s 29 parking stalls are often full and that on-street parking could leave only about 16 feet of pavement — short of the 26 feet he said a fire truck needs to operate effectively.

The trail design, presented by city staff, would link Eggett Park (29 parking stalls, including two handicap spaces) to the Hobart/Holbrook trailhead to improve access and to support future trail approvals by the U.S. Forest Service. Todd Christiansen, city staff, said the route crosses steep ground and would require retaining walls and switchbacks; the design yields an intermediate (blue) bicycle difficulty rating with an average grade of about 7 percent and a total length of roughly 0.4 mile. Christiansen noted an elevation gain of about 160 feet and said the steep sections will need rock-retaining work where slopes range from 60 to 80 percent.

Christiansen also outlined funding pledged so far: a $20,000 anonymous donation, a $20,000 Utah Outdoor Recreation Grant, and a recent $10,000 donation. He said the Utah grant must be used by about mid‑2026 unless an extension is approved. He told the council staff’s recommendation was to accept Elite Landscape Services’ proposal for $123,260.

Council members pressed staff on several points. Parks Director Brock Hill said Eggert Park is the second-least-used park in the city inventory and was reserved only 37 times in the prior six months, and he told the council he believes the park could handle additional users. The police chief, speaking to likely effects on calls for service, said he would expect some increase in traffic but reported that Kaysville — a nearby jurisdiction he consulted — had not seen increased crime after adding a trailhead.

Council members also discussed trail policy and the Forest Service. Christiansen and other staff said the Forest Service is reviewing multiple proposed Holbrook-area trails and has raised trailhead capacity as a key consideration; staff warned the Forest Service might require additional trailhead capacity (such as this connector) before approving other trails, though staff said the agency had not made a definitive requirement.

After extended discussion about neighborhood impacts, emergency access, long‑term trail planning and available grant funds, a council member moved to accept the proposal from Elite Landscape Services for $123,260; the motion was seconded and passed with no recorded opposition.

The council vote authorizes construction to proceed under the terms presented; staff and council members said they expect the work to include the retaining-wall elements and the switchbacks described in the staff presentation. Staff emphasized the project crosses city-owned land and will remain subject to applicable permitting and Forest Service coordination for related trails.