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Midway committee approves minutes, flags trail repairs, signage fixes and tree grants; rain‑barrel sale set for May
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Summary
The Midway Parks, Trails and Trees Committee approved prior minutes, prioritized three trail repairs and boardwalk replacements, discussed signage and vehicle access on multi‑use trails, considered tree plantings for the dog park using a $2,500 grant match, and previewed a May 7 rain‑barrel pickup and a September watershed festival.
The Midway Parks, Trails and Trees Committee approved minutes from Jan. 27 and Feb. 24 and spent the bulk of its March 24 meeting reviewing trail maintenance priorities, signage fixes and community programs.
The committee identified three priority trail projects for the coming year: replacing a deteriorating boardwalk on North Center Street, repairing the paved trail in front of Blaze/roundabout, and addressing a second segment near Midway Village. Committee members agreed to pursue those three sections together to manage cost and scheduling.
Committee members raised Glen Canyon Road and a short, little‑used boardwalk spur as potential candidates for removal if inspections do not show strong public use. "It's an expensive build for a trail of nowhere," one member said, prompting a request that members visit the spur before the next meeting.
Members also discussed the Kemp Gardner parcel (about 45 acres). Staff said the site is wet and likely better suited for soft‑surface trails; members noted the parcel could carry wetland mitigation tied to Heber Valley Railroad impacts and recommended preservation‑oriented approaches if landowners are willing to engage.
The committee heard sustained concerns about user confusion and vehicle access on a multi‑use trail where construction and missing signage have led some drivers to enter the pathway. Members recommended additional signage and, where appropriate, physical measures such as boulders or bollards to prevent vehicle entry.
Tree planting was another focus. Members said a small federal tree grant opening yields $2,500 (requiring a local match) and suggested using the funds to install larger‑caliber shade trees at the dog park; members will seek estimates from Supertrees and share prior quotes with staff.
The committee previewed community outreach events: an open‑space open house April 11 and a rain‑barrel sale May 7. Organizers said they purchased 100 high‑quality barrels via bulk procurement and will subsidize them to $60 each for Wasatch County residents; a larger Provo River Watershed Festival was also planned for September.
Next steps: staff will circulate estimates and maps (including the foundation's Heber Halo snippets), seek Supertrees' tree quotes and evaluate additional trail signs and physical barriers for high‑risk crossings before the next meeting.