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Fruit Heights manager presses for land conveyance to finish Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Summary
Darren Fransen, Fruit Heights city manager, told the Federal Lands subcommittee that completing the Bonneville Shoreline Trail requires resolving a slow federal permitting and alignment process and that local conveyance would preserve open space, expand recreation and connect neighboring cities.
Darren Fransen, city manager for Fruit Heights, Utah, told the House Subcommittee on Federal Lands that his city seeks a land conveyance to finish a missing segment of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). Fruit Heights is nearly built out, Fransen said, and adding trail connections will preserve open space, expand recreation access and link Kaysville, Farmington and surrounding communities.
Fransen described prior coordination with the Forest Service that identified requirements and several alignment challenges — including canyon crossings and bridge needs — and said progress had been slow until recent meetings accelerated plans. He said the city submitted a formal request to the Salt Lake City Forest Service office and held on-site discussions; the best alignment for the portion above Fruit Heights is scheduled to begin construction in summer 2026 if approvals hold.
On the committee floor, members pressed Forest Service witnesses on whether administrative processes could finish the work faster than congressional conveyance. The Forest Service told members it is committed to working with the city and county, offered to meet to clarify technical issues, and said it thinks current administrative steps could yield results, though agency staff welcomed congressional engagement to resolve specific technical constraints.
Fransen emphasized the local volunteer base, youth engagement (high‑school mountain biking teams), and public-health benefits of increased recreation. He asked for clear implementation timelines and said Fruit Heights will continue to pursue partnerships with the county and the Forest Service.
Next steps: Forest Service officials committed to follow-up meetings with the city and county to finalize alignment details and timing; committee members asked for written responses and may pursue legislative or administrative avenues depending on those technical clarifications.
