One of the most breathtaking things you will notice about driving into Park City is the wide expanse of open land. It’s remarkable when you really think about it. All around the town, you’ll notice something interesting for a resort town: the absence of overwhelming developments.

It’s refreshing to experience in person, and even more so for the citizens of Park City who helped (un-)pave the way for Park City to be one of the most conscientious towns when it comes to conservation and land preservation. 

Whether you crave privacy and solitude or you are a conservationist at heart, Park City’s open spaces are a true wonder, and something we are very proud of. 

In this post, we’re exploring everything you need to know about open spaces in Park City. 

What is the Benefit of Open Space in Park City? 

Ask anyone who lives here; the wide open spaces are among the top reasons why people love living in Park City. Having them is a huge benefit to our town.

Here are just a few of the benefits:

Space for Recreation

Park City living is founded on outdoor recreation, and for that to happen, we need space. To foster a community that loves mountain biking, horseback riding, skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking, you need trails and land to enjoy. The vast amount of open space in Park City provides the perfect setting for leading an active, outdoor lifestyle. 

Protection from Suburbanization 

Park City’s protected open space is essentially a moat of sorts, protecting us from becoming a suburb of Salt Lake City. With untouched forest, meadows, and mountains all around, we remain a distinct town with its own voice, culture, and charm. 

A Thriving Ecosystem 

Prioritizing open space gives room for nature. With so much greenery around us, we have a healthy ecosystem and a habitat full of local wildlife and beautiful nature.

Infrastructure Demands 

By limiting growth, we can ensure that our infrastructure is never overburdened. Water, electricity, and municipal services are all working within their means since we will never experience a significant population boom that could strain things.  

Property Values 

We couldn’t have a list of the benefits of open land in Park City without mentioning how it affects local property values. Consider this: some people buy an adjacent property to protect their views. In Park City, the town is buying adjacent properties to protect the land for everyone. As a result, our property values reflect the scarcity and exclusivity of living in Park City. 

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What Started it All: The White Barn  

With so much open land surrounding, you might be wondering how it’s protected. Who owns it? Why can’t developers use it? To learn more about that, we have to go back in time and talk about White Barn. 

The White Barn, also known as McPolin Farm is an iconic Park City landmark and the first city-owned and taxed open space. The barn was purchased by Park City Municipal in 1990 and has since become a popular local attraction. The barn itself is preserved and refurbished and is an amazing testament to the historic homesteaders of our past. Today, visitors can enjoy the beautiful walking trail and much-beloved Friends of the Farm events. 

The success of the White Barn venture no doubt inspired the city to double down on its efforts to preserve open land, resulting in the extensive conservation efforts we see today. 

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How is Open Space Procured in Park City?

There are a variety of ways the city procures land to use as open space. Most notably: 

• County and City Bonds – These bonds are voted on by citizens and aim to protect open space in the area. Park City homeowners have a long history of voting to preserve land, due to all the great benefits listed above!
• Non-Profit Organizations – Non-profits such as Utah Open Lands receive government grants to procure space from landowners to use as open space. 
• Philanthropic Donations for Easements – Landowners themselves may also donate land or money for these types of easements. 
• Conscientious Developers – Most developers understand the town’s love of open space and its emphasis on conservation. As a result, when we do have new developments, it’s common to see developers allow room for protected land in conservation easements in their plans. In some cases, developers have allocated up to 70% of their land for this!

Is Park City the best mountain town to live in? We think yes! Find out why in this post right here.

How Many Acres of Open Land Does Park City Have? 

Today, Park City has preserved well over 10,000 acres of land representing an investment of over $100 million. From the beautiful grasslands of Swaner Preserve and Eco Center or the prime hiking terrain of Treasure Hill and Snow Ranch Pastures to the extensive trail network at Bonanza Flat, our open space is used for education, recreation, and enjoyment. This initiative is overwhelmingly supported by residents, and used by locals and visitors alike. 

Thinking about buying or selling in Park City? Read these posts next: 

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Are There Any New Open Spaces in Park City?

Recently, in May 2024, the county received a $40 million grant from the federal government to purchase 910 Cattle Ranch, just north of Jeremy Ranch. With 8,600 acres, this is by far the largest open land acquisition in the history of Park City. It was also one of the last privately owned ranches in the area by a single landowner. Both the property size and its connection to other open spaces are a dream come true for local outdoors and conservation enthusiasts.

All the More Reason to Live Here 

If you dream of living in a town of like-minded people who love to enjoy the outdoors, Park City might be the perfect place for you. Our open spaces are just one of the amazing features of living in Park City. Whether you’re a recreationalist or you just need a little bit of breathing room, Park City delivers. 

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect Park City vacation home or you’re thinking about moving here full-time, get in touch with CMFH, we can help you find what you’re looking for. 

Call us at 435-647-8035 or email info@cmfhparkcity.com today to learn more about buying or selling real estate in Park City and Deer Valley.