Wellbeing In Utah’s Amenity Communities
EMMA EPPERSON | DR. COURTNEY FLINT
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT & SOCIETY
Utah State University
BASECAMP | 2024
UTAH WELLBEING PROJECT
Providing Utah city and town leaders with information on the wellbeing and perspectives of residents
Informing local planning processes and decision making
Comparative community wellbeing research effort
50 Cities in 2024
UTAH WELLBEING PROJECT
(Aristotle)
Multiple wellbeing domains (rating & importance)
Open comments on values, desired improvements, economic development, local environmental quality, and more
THE WELLBEING SURVEY
Amenity Communities in
Utah Wellbeing Survey
Park City
Amenity Communities in
Utah Wellbeing Survey
Park City
Midway
Amenity Communities in
Utah Wellbeing Survey
Park City
Midway
Springdale
Amenity Communities in
Utah Wellbeing Survey
Park City
Midway
Springdale
Bluff
Wellbeing Survey Amenity Locations | % Employment in Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Accommodation, & Food Services | % Vacant Housing |
Park City | 18.3% | 66.2% |
Springdale | 30.0% | 40.6% |
Midway | 18.3% | 23.6% |
Bluff | 25.9% | 34.4% |
Amenity Communities
*ACS 2018-2022
Areas with unique natural and recreational amenities and economic dependencies that attract amenity migrants and visitors
(Ulrich-Schad, 2015)
Personal Wellbeing
Living Standards
Community
Connection
Connection with Nature
From Lived Experience in Park City
“Connection to the outdoors and living in a community where a majority value a healthy lifestyle, the environment, and outdoor activities.”
“Manage the growth and traffic - we need the tourism, but it takes a toll on quality of life.”
“I think continuing to provide opportunities to connect with each other is important to the fabric of Park City.”
“There’s a lot of stress for people employed here trying to afford to live here.”
From Lived Experience in Midway
“The small-town way of life... easy to walk to the shops and restaurants. I love the way the community comes together for the annual Christmas Tree lighting... if anything can sum up the best parts of living here, it is that tradition.”
“Stop the growth. Emphasize affordable housing so my kids can afford to live in the town they grew up in.”
“Keep it small. Keep it safe. Keep it quaint and quiet! Catering to part time residents and visitors does not help build a community.”
“Open space, access to walking, bilking, and hiking trails, friendly community, Swiss Days participation, friendly youth, and neighborhoods.”
From Lived Experience in Springdale
“I love tourists!! I like making sure everyone has fun and feels the environment in peace. The beauty should be experienced by ALL.”
“Dark sky at night and the town’s ordinance to protect them. Access to the NP, local hiking trails and parks. Awesome scenery.”
“Balance toward residents over tourism, with respect to water use, structures, and traffic.”
“Another grocery store not geared towards tourists but for residents. More community gatherings and events.”
“During the last several years, the increase in tourism has greatly impacted the quality of life for locals.”
From Lived Experience in Bluff
“I appreciate the rural, supportive community. Neighbors seem like they truly care about each other and while we may have our differences, overall, we are a caring community. I also sincerely appreciate our access to public lands, solitude, and living a “slower paced” lifestyle.”
“Access to affordable groceries is important as many families must travel for hours. We also need to make connections to the families across the river because they are apart of bluff too.”
“Adding a few more services would be really helpful, including a grocery store and affordable housing opportunities will benefit younger residents. Access to quality food resources. Support for local cultural activities.”
Meeting Needs
Farmington
Salt Lake City
Flagstaff
Moab
Blanding
Bluff
Cortez
Grand Junction
Durango
Farmington
Ridgway
1
2
3
4 - 11
12 - 41
42 - 48
Survey Location
±
Bluff Connections
0
25
50
100 Miles
1
2
3 - 35
36
37 - 40
41 - 50
51 - 73
Survey Location
Lehi
Saratoga
Springs
Bountiful
Salt Lake
City
Sundance
Orem
Provo
Park City
Heber
Midway
Wallsburg
Oakley
Kamas
Esri, NASA, NGA, USGS, County of Salt Lake, County of Utah, Utah Geospatial Resource Center, Esri, TomTom, Garmin, SafeGraph, FAO, METI/NASA, USGS, Bureau of Land Management, EPA, NPS, USFWS
Frequent Destinations for Needs
and Activities
Total number of respondents
±
Midway Connections
Rural to Urban
Frequent Destinations for Needs
and Activities
Total number of respondents
Montezuma Creek
Esri, NASA, NGA, USGS, County of Salt Lake, County of Utah, Utah Geospatial Resource Center, Esri, TomTom, Garmin, SafeGraph, FAO, METI/NASA, USGS, Bureau of Land Management, EPA, NPS, USFWS
Rural to Urban
Esri, TomTom, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, EPA, USFWS, Esri, USGS
Frequent Destinations for Needs and Activities
Springdale Connections
Park City Connections
Esri, TomTom, Garmin, FAO, NOAA, USGS, EPA, USFWS, Esri, USGS
Amenity Migration
“The millionaires are being bought out by the billionaires”
- Park City Resident
THE GNAR INITIATIVE
UNIQUE CHALLENGES & COMMUNITIES
AMENITY COMMUNITY TOOLKIT
Opportunities & Resources
Thank You!
questions or feedback?
emma.epperson@usu.edu | courtney.flint@usu.edu