Friends of Utah State Parks, a grassroots, non-profit organization, is comprised of volunteers who focus on preserving, promoting and protecting our state parks for future generations. Since our inception in 2007, we have made great strides with furthering the positive attention and support of our parks and are in a position to do even more to influence a positive growth in success of our parks. As Friends of Utah State Parks, we often hear positive feedback on how our communication efforts and outreach programs have made a positive impact in the perceived value of our park system with our legislators and opinion influencers.

With the support and generosity of our corporate sponsors, members, community programs, and donors, Friends of Utah State Parks has contributed over $91,000 toward small project matching grants and tree initiative programs. The Friends of Utah State Parks have been successful in providing over $300,000 in pass-through grants for special projects.

Partnerships

Solider Hollow Golf (US Amateur Public Links Championship), Dead Horse Point State Park Intrepid Trail-Phase 1 & 2, Dead Horse Point MDU Grant for Visitor Center displays, Utah Lake State Park Comcast Cares Day and beach enhancements, Utah State Parks AAA and Roadology grants to provide funding for “Dark Sky Designation” for appropriate state parks, sponsored 25^th Antelope Island Great Bison Roundup Reunion and Fielding Garr Ranch landscape restoration project, and sponsored Outdoor Recreation matching grant Willard Bay Day-use pond.

 

Advocacy Program

Friends of Utah State Parks sponsored Legislative breaks, participated in Tourism Day on the Hill, meeting with state parks friends groups, meeting with local business, meeting with state and local government leaders, Dark Sky events, hosted VIP Scouting Rides for Antelope Island Bison Roundup, participated in the Utah outdoor summit, as well as the National State Park Friends and Foundation meetings. 

 

Matching grant program

Friends of Utah State Parks grants were matched with park donations, community sponsors, local state government agencies, State Park Programs and additional grants.

Anasazi State Park and Museum

• ·       2015/16 - assist with creation of “Technological Advancement of Tools Among the Anasazi” display ($500)
• ·       2021 – provided Tree Initiative grant for $500

Antelope Island State Park

• ·       2019 - purchase of Virtual Reality (VR) equipment to enhance accessibility at Antelope Island State Park ($1,000)
• ·       2020 - purchase kayaks for rent and tours ($500)
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Bear Lake State Park

• ·       2017 - Rendezvous Beach entrance area fencing project ($500)
• ·       2021 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500
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Camp Floyd State Park and Museum

• ·       2015 - purchase of a M1842 Mississippi Rifle ($500)
• ·       2016 - obtain a” replica M1855 pleated frock coat” for their 10^th Infantry Uniform Exhibit.  This is an ongoing project to obtain all period solider uniform and USP equipment items ($500)
• ·       2017 - obtain a replica Service Jacket 2nd Dragoons for their 10^th Infantry Uniform Exhibit.  This is an ongoing project to obtain all period solider uniform and equipment items ($500)
• ·       2019 - purchase of a 1854 Dragoon Shako a replica tripod ($1,000)
• ·       2020 - purchase of earthen oven and kitchen pavilion ($500)
• ·       2020 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500
•  

Coral Pink State Park

• ·       2018 - expansion of sand collection display of sand dunes around the world ($500)
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Dead Horse Point State Park

• ·       2015 - purchase of night sky telescope ($500)
• ·       2016 - purchase of a new “Visitor Information/Interpretive sign” at the Visitor Center observation point ($500)
• ·       2017 - purchase of nature trail wayside signs located near the Visitor Center to help park visitor become familiar with native plant found within the park ($500)
• ·       2018 - purchase of nature trail markers to keep visitor on trails and reduce resource damage from the creation of social trails ($500)
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Deer Creek State Park

• ·       2015/2016 - support the Heavenly Honey and Wildflower” program, an ongoing project to plant wildflowers and harvest the honey for resale. Project will help control noxious weeds and provide area for special gatherings ($500) 
• ·       2017/2018 – design and parking lot stripping for safer and more efficient parking at Island and Rainbow Bay day use areas ($500)
• ·       2019 – development of a recreation day use area on Sailboat Beach ($500)

East Canyon State Park

• ·       2015 - tree planting in campground ($500)
• ·       2019 - development of Star Park Academy, an educational program to gain knowledge and confidence in astronomy and dark sky issues ($500)
• ·       2019 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500
• ·       2020 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500
•  

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum

• ·       2015 - purchase and installation of visitor center entrance pergola ($500)
• ·       2016 - construction of two “Archaeology Excavation Boxes’ for park visitor archaeology education ($500)
• ·       2021 - purchase and replacement of benches along Park’s Centennial Trail ($500)
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Frontier Homestead State Park and Museum

• ·       2015 - development and sponsor of the Annual Christmas Market ($500)
• ·       2016 – development and sponsor of the Annual Frontier Folk Festival ($500)
• ·       2017 - development and sponsor of the  Annual “Frontier Folk Festival ($500)
• ·       2018 - development and sponsor of the Annual Frontier Folk Festival ($500)
• ·       2019 – development and sponsor the Frontier Folklife Festival, a two-day event that celebrates our pioneer heritage with folk/country/bluegrass music, original arts and crafts, traditional craft demonstrations, and food ($500)
• ·       2020 - development and sponsor of the Annual Frontier Folk Festival ($500)
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Goblin Valley State Park

• ·       2019 - purchase of a bike rack for the Visitor Center parking lot ($500)
• ·       2020 - purchase of drone for education, orientation and search and rescue activities ($500)
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Great Salt Lake State Park

• ·       2015 - brochure for self -guided walk at Great Salt Lake Marina ($500)
• ·       2016 - development a “Brine Shrimp Display” with a brine shrimp tank to assist with the Great Salt Lake interpretive programs ($500)
• ·       2017 - purchase of a penny press machine for park visitor souvenirs and help generate additional revenue for the park ($500)
• ·       2018 - artistic map of the park for the visitor center and interpretive signage for Self-guided walking tour ($500)
• ·       2019 purchase swim buoys so the Park can host swimming events, including the Great Salt Lake Floating Festival ($500)
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Green River State Park

• ·       2019 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500
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Palisade State Park

• ·       2015 - purchase and installation of OHV information kiosk at the campground ($500)
• ·       2019 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500
• ·       2020 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500

Starvation State Park (Fred Hayes State Park)

• ·       2018 – new trees planted in Mountain View campground ($500)
• ·       2020 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500

 

Steinaker State Park

• ·       2016 - purchase and construction of two “Interpretive display cases”, one at Steinaker State Park and the other located at Red Fleet State Park. The cases will display dinosaur tracks and other important historical items found in and around the park ($500)
• ·       2019 - purchase and installation of two message boards at the entrance station and campground ($1000)
• ·       2020 - interpretation enrichment program with purchase of projector, projection screen and electronics cart ($500)
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• Territorial State Park and Museum
• ·       2020 - sponsor for Old Capital dinner and dance ($500)
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• Utah Field House of Natural History State Park
• ·       2020 - purchase museum collection boxes ($500)

Wasatch Mountain State Park

• ·       2018 - funding for Lightscape Management requirements (new light fixtures and shields that direct the light to the ground and not the sky) in the campground and other areas of the park to become eligible for an International Dark Sky Park designation ($500)
• ·       2019  - purchase of a Frisbee golf course adjacent to the campground ($1,000)
• ·       2019 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500

Willard Bay State Park

• ·       2018 - replace two entrance signs for Watkins Dam and Reservoir Dam interpretive signs at the North and South Marinas.
• ·       2020 - provided Tree Initiative grant for $500

These accomplishments were make possible because of you continued support of our membership program and generous donations from our sponsors.

Platinum Sponsors ($10,000)	Gold Sponsors ($5,000)	Silver Sponsor ($2,500)
Ø  Chevron Oil	Ø  America First Credit Union – 6 years	Ø  Wild Tribute -3 year
Ø  Sierra RV - 4 years	Ø  Lake Monster Foundation	Ø  America United Federal Credit Union 3 years
	Ø  Sierra RV – 2 years
	Ø  Steadman’s RV – 3 years
Bronze Sponsors ($1,000)	Sponsors (under $1,000)
Ø  IORT- 3 years	Ø  Allred Orchards – 6 years	Ø  Ed Kenely Ford – 5 years
Ø  Orbit Irrigation - 2 years	Ø  All Pro Real Estate – 6 years	Ø  Park City Sailing – 2 years
Ø  Red Cliff Lodge – 3 years	Ø  Bear Lake Fun Time	Ø  PETZL America – 2 years
Ø  Rocky Mountain Power – 5 years	Ø  Bear Lake Yacht Club – 5 years	Ø  Orbit Irrigation
Ø  Wild Tribute - 2 years	Ø  Bear Lake Watch – 2 years	Ø  Red Cliff Lodge – 2 years
Ø  Whitaker Construction 2- years	Ø  Davis (Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep)	Ø  SABRE
	Ø  Dick’s Sporting Goods