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Cottonwood Heights Journal

Ski & Snowboard News / Bonanza Flats -- open space or luxury homes

Apr 26, 2017 04:10PM ● By Harriet Wallis

Where is it?

Bonanza Flats is a huge tract of open space just on the other side of the peaks we see when we look up at the mountains. When you drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon and continue on over the col toward Park City, you're traveling along Bonanza Flats.

If you're a skiers or snowboarder, you've stood at the top of the resorts and looked down the other side into Bonanza Flats. In winter, it's used by x-country skiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers. When the snow melts, there are lakes, trails and  forest critters including moose and elk.

What's going on?

High end developers want to buy Bonanza Flats from a subsidiary of Wells Fargo bank and develop it with luxury homes.

Park City swung into action and the landowner agreed to a contract offer of $38 million from Park City. In November, Park City residents agreed to tax themselves up to $25 million trying to save Bonanza Flats as open space for everyone to use. But Park City can't do it alone.

That still leaves a $13 million gap. .

Who's helping?

Local recreational, environmental and conservation non-profits have formed a coalition for this fundraising campaign. Utah Open Lands, Save Our Canyons, Mountain Trails Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Summit Land Conservancy, Sierra Club, Wasatch Backcountry Alliance, Friends of Alta and Winter Wildlands Alliance are trying to help save this space.

Tax-deductable donations are needed

Donationa are tax deductable. Upon the successful purchase of this property you will receive official IRS tax-deductible receipt of your donation; if we do not raise enough money to buy Bonanza Flats, we will return your donation.

To read more about Bonanza Flats and to donate, click the link. https://www.savebonanzaflats.org/