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Volunteers, donations built Highland Bike Park; organizers ask city for maintenance funding and grant help
Summary
Volunteers and donors have funded and built the Highland Glen Bike Park; Lone Peak Trails Association told the council it needs ongoing maintenance support (~$60,000/year), additional water access and city help securing grants and potential capital funding estimated between $2 million and $10 million.
Steve Sears of the Lone Peak Trails Association told the Highland City Council on Feb. 3 that volunteers and donations have been the backbone of the Highland Glen Bike Park. "Cash donations in the first row, about a $150 thousand, over the last 2 years," Sears said, and he told the council the group has recorded roughly $130,000 in in-kind donations of dirt and equipment and an estimated 1,000 volunteer hours valued at state nonprofit rates.
Sears presented short-term and long-term requests: an annual maintenance allocation (he estimated about $60,000 to operate the park without volunteer labor), water-hose bib access to maintain jump features, and staff support on grant applications that could multiply private donations and match local funds. He also showed a conceptual plan with more permanent features — pump tracks, dual slalom and sloped courses — and estimated construction costs ranging from about $2 million for a modest build to as much as $10 million for a more extensive park.
Council members asked about neighborhood outreach, drainage and parking. Councilmember Smith emphasized early HOA engagement; Sears said the group had informal contact with the Hidden Oaks neighborhood and would welcome the HOA’s input. Staff told council that the group’s funding requests would be brought to the upcoming budget retreat for formal consideration.
Several youth coaches and team leaders who addressed the council before the presentation emphasized local participation: "We represent over 7,500 student athletes and 4,500 coaches," Jake Weber said during public comment, and Nick Hudson noted Lone Peak’s roster includes hundreds of Highland residents. Council members praised the volunteer effort and asked staff to follow up with parking counts, liability details, and whether park maintenance should be managed as a separate park account.
Ending: The council asked staff to include bike-park requests in budget discussions and to return with details on maintenance funding, liability issues and any required code or park-design changes.
