The Summit Land Conservancy has officially closed on a permanent conservation easement that it says will protect the iconic hillside above Old Town Park City, known as Treasure Hill. The conservancy and Park City Municipal will commemorate the community-wide effort and permanent protection of Treasu re Hill with a ribbon cutting at the Treasure Hill Trailhead at 4:30 p.m., on April 30. Sweets and refreshments will be provided.The 105-acre property includes the Town Lift chairlift, several winter ski runs and multi-use hiking and biking trails that the conservancy said are beloved by locals and visitors. “The property offers views of skiers descending snow covered ski runs in the winter and the forested hillsides are particularly striking in the fall with vibrant, colorful foliage,” the organization said in a press release. Park City United Mining Company owned and managed Treasure Hill. Then, for many years, the Sweeney family owned it, and now, Park City Municipal Corporation owns the 105-acre property. The Silver King Mine, which resides above the Treasure Hill slopes, became operational in 1892 and is known as one of the “Big Four” mines that made Park City mining profitable, according to the conservancy. “The Silver King Mine later became one of the most famous silver mines in the world. In the 1950’s the declining price and demand for silver forced the mines to close, and the mining company and other Park City locals proposed a ski resort for the property,” the conservancy said. “Shortly after, Treasure Mountain Resort opened in 1963. It was considered the first destination resort, and the beginning of the ski industry in Park City. The original area of Treasure Hill is now a part of Park City Mountain Resort.”In 1986, the Park City Planning Commission approved the Treasure Hill Master Plan Development, which comprised approximately 1,000,000 square feet of commercial uses including a hotel, convention center and more, according to the group. The project saw nearly 30 years of opposition, deliberation, multiple conditional use permit applications by the landowners and ardent public opposition to the proposed development. Treasure Hill Impact Neighborhood Coalition, known as THINC, was founded by members of Park City’s residential community. It sought to raise public awareness to preserve and protect Park City’s Historic Old Town from the large-scale development.Niels Vernegaard, now a board member of the Summit Land Conservancy and formerly a member of THINC said, “The conservation of Treasure Hill is the culmination of years of work by many organizations and individuals dedicated to saving this iconic land for future generations. It is a true testament of Parkites’ love of open space that they agreed to the tax which funded the purchase of the land so that it can remain as is forever.”In February 2018, Park City leaders approved an agreement to acquire the Treasure Hill property for $64 million from the Sweeney family and a firm called Park City II, LLC — the most expensive conservation purchase in the history of Park City Municipal Corporation’s open space program, according to the conservancy. In November 2018, residents within Park City’s limits voted to approve a $48 million bond to cover most of the purchase price. The bond passed, with 77% voting in favor.“This partnership marks the culmination of years of effort to permanently safeguard this iconic and highly visible property — an essential part of our mountain town’s character,” said Park City Mayor Nann Worel. “I am deeply grateful to our residents for supporting the bond that made this possible and to the Summit Land Conservancy for their dedication to preserving open space.”Summit Land Conservancy, Park City’s local accredited land trust, said it will hold the permanent conservation easement on Treasure Hill. King’s Crown, another 11-acre property under easement with the conservancy, is adjacent to Treasure Hill on the north side, the group said, adding that it protects 1,000 additional acres in nearby Empire Canyon.“This conservation easement represents decades of efforts by individuals, by planning commissions and elected officials,” said Summit Land Conservancy CEO Cheryl Fox. “Summit Land Conservancy is honored to have been part of the effort by supporting the Treasure Hill Bond and working with the city to craft the final conservation easement. Saving this land is truly a community accomplishment.”The conservancy said that Treasure Hill creates “spectacular views for the public throughout Park City.” The wooded hillside is covered in oak, maple, conifer trees and Rocky Mountain quaking aspens and has been identified as crucial habitat for moose, elk, mule deer, dusky grouse and the northern goshawk, a designated sensitive species, the conservancy said. Milkweed plants on the property provide an ideal annual migratory location for the monarch butterfly, and wildflowers create a suitable habitat for the western bumble bee, a species being reviewed for protection under the Endangered Species Act.Recreationists can visit the property on a variety of natural surface trails accessible from Park City’s Historic Old Town in the spring, summer and fall. The trails facilitate hiking, trail running, dog walking, and mountain biking across Treasure Hill via Mother Urban, Sweeny’s Switchbacks, John’s 99, and South Sweeney’s, which are all part of and connected to the greater Park City trails network, according to the conservancy.“The preservation of Treasure Hill will protect Old Town Park City’s quaint character and small-town feel,” the conservancy said. The post Summit Land Conservancy closes permanent conservation easement on Treasure Hill appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less