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 are in the very early stages of understanding what that might look like and we do not have a timeline. Part of that process will include continued conversation and coordination with Ogden City.
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 grants to fund the project. Check back to the TFNU website, we’ll post information there.
Will there be bathrooms? TBD. Phase 1 will include a parking area, will not include bathrooms. If provided, they will be part of a potential Phase 2.
Where will the parking lot be located? The plan has the parking area located to the east of the top of 27th street. (See Image)
How big will the parking lot be? The plan will allow for approximately 60 cars. Trail counters and periodic car counting was done the last part of May and early June of 2024, reflecting that the maximum number of cars parked on 27th st there during that time was 57. Given the need to allow for some future growth, we believe 60 spots to be appropriate.
What about security, garbage pickup, snow removal, etc.? We’ll be 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 irritating the adjacent land owners.
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 my home? TBD
What are the crime statistics around putting in a trailhead? TBD.
When will construction begin? We are working on developing the plan and layout of the trailhead. See the picture below for the current design and location plan. We plan on having the formal engineering and design work done and permits obtained this summer. Construction will depend on the availability of funding (no funding is currently available now.) Once we have secured funding, we will post a projected completion date. We are hopeful tht we can begin construction in the summer of 2025.
Will trails in the immediate area be improved? We are working on a number of potential new trails in the area, including a single-track connection from the parking lot area to the exisiting Pond Trail. We are hopeful that the Pond Trail connector can be put in this fall. As we continue to formalize overall plans for the trailhead we will be looking at other potential trail enhancements.
Proposed Parking Lot Plan
(Last updated July '24)