TFNU’s mission is to plan, promote, construct, maintain and protect a network of public pathways, trails, and related open spaces for non-motorized users throughout Northern Utah.
The Behnken family has generously donated about 100 acres of property east of the top of 27th street to TFNU with the stipulation that it remain open space and be available to the general public. This means that this property will never be developed for commercial use.
As a homeowner living on or near 27th street you know better than most that parking and access to the trails above 27th street can be an issue. One of the things that the Behnken family wanted TFNU to do is explore the development of an official trailhead with parking on the property.
We have developed a plan for the parking area after feedback from the local neighbors and are in the process of obtaining grants to fund the project. We are hopeful that we can begin the project this summer.
As folks living in the immediate area, we welcome your feedback and invite you to reach out with questions or comments via email at [email protected] We’ll also post updates to our website as plans progress, visit us at www.tfnu.org/27thstreet.
FAQs
How much will this project cost and how will it be funded? TFNU will be looking for donations and applying for grants to fund the project. The overall cost for the trailhead parking area and information structure is estimated to be around $600,000
Will there be bathrooms? TBD. Phase 1 will include a parking area but will not include bathrooms. If provided, they will be part of a future Phase.
Where will the parking lot be located? The parking area will be located to the east of the top of 27th street above the retention pond. (See Image below by clicking on “27th Street Trailhead-Aerial”)
How big will the parking lot be? The parking lot will hold approximately 60 cars. The size was based on surveys of cars parked in the vicinity of the 27th St trailhead during the last week of May and early June in which the average was 26 and the high was 57. During the same period, the parking on 29th St had an average of 58 and a high of 111 with only 49 spaces in the trailhead parking. Given that some of the 29th St use will move to 27th and allowing for future growth, 60 spaces was determined to be a reasonable size for the 27th St parking area.
What about security, garbage pickup, snow removal, etc.? We are in conversation with Ogden City about the city providing these services.
Why are you putting a trailhead there with 22nd and 29th street trailheads so close? This area historically has acted as a non-official access point to the trails on the East Bench of Ogden, including the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. As there is no official trailhead parking, cars have parked along 27th street and the adjacent roads creating bottlenecks and safety issues and irritating the adjacent land owners.
What will the trailhead structure be? We are planning a trailhead structure that will include a covered sitting area and information kiosks with maps and info about the flora, fauna, geology and history of the area. We are working with Weber State to gather the information for these information kiosks.
What will this do to my property value? According to a WSU peer report survey in Ogden, it is reported that there is a 1.4% - 1.9% house premium for each driving minute closer to the home is to a trailhead.
How close will the trailhead be to the nearby homes? The closest homes will be approximately 100 yards away from the parking area.
What are the crime statistics around putting in a trailhead? TBD.
When will construction begin? We have completed the design and engineering for the parking area and are obtaining bids. Construction will depend on the availability of funding (we are in the process of applying for grants.) Once we have secured funding, we will post a projected completion date. We are hopeful that we can begin construction in the summer of 2025.
Will trails in the immediate area be improved? We are working on several potential trails in the area. A single track trail is planned to provide access to the Pond Trail from the parking area. We are hoping to construct that trail early this spring. We are also planning several interpretive trails in conjunction with the US Forest Service and Weber State over the next few years to highlight the flora, fauna, and geology of the area as well as the benefits of being in nature. In addition to these new trails, we will improve the trails leading from the parking area to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.