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Council discusses severe thistle overgrowth on town trails and coordination with parks
Summary
Councilors and committee members described thick thistle growth making trails impassable and debated relying on volunteers versus park maintenance; park staff indicated volunteer coordination in September, and the council discussed seeking state trail grant funds.
Council committee members described widespread thistle growth on several trails, including the perimeter trail and the parallel gravel trail, saying plants had reached five to six feet with abundant seed pods that will spread if not addressed now. Committee member (S3) described riding "through the Valley of Death," and others said volunteers who previously removed plants found the problem returned.
Committee member (S4) said park staff member Amanda replied that she could organize a volunteer day in September, but several council members said that is too late because the thistles are in full bloom now and will seed in coming weeks. Committee members discussed two near-term strategies: (1) coordinate volunteers to clip seed heads now with park permission and (2) use park maintenance equipment (ATVs and mowers) to cut and mulch the growth once permission and logistics are in place. "We collected a ton of thistles with heavy gloves and with bags...and apparently didn't do that much good," Committee member (S4) said.
Councilors also discussed reaching out to neighboring communities and trail organizations (Wasatch Trails) for volunteer coordination and to explore state funding. Moderator (S1) noted that the Utah Trails Network has $207,000,000 in state funding that could be a possible resource for more sustainable maintenance and asked staff to explore grants and coordinated responses rather than rely on piecemeal volunteer action.
What happens next: the council suggested creating a small subgroup to coordinate an immediate volunteer effort (with park permission) and to pursue grant and interagency support for longer-term trail maintenance.
