Newly appointed Director of Utah State Parks, Jeff Rasmussen, has 25 years of experience within Utah’s state parks. Rasmussen says he’s focused on keeping up with recreation needs on the Wasatch Back.
There are 6 state parks in Wasatch and Summit Counties including Rockport, Pacific Rail Trail, Jordanelle, Wasatch Mountain, Deer Creek, and Utah’s newest state park Echo.
“We were lucky enough this last legislative session to get more access to our restricted account which is built from fees collected at our state parks to be able to reinvest in the state parks.” Rasmussen said “One of the most exciting projects we got funding to start with is Echo, it’s a new facility that we’re going to be able to offer to accommodate more visitors, hopefully take some pressure off those Wasatch back parks that are turning people back on weekends and holidays.”
Rasmussen says they’ve been working with the Bureau of Reclamation to develop a plan for Echo State Park.
Utah State Parks says they’ve received ideas from their local state park managers. They’ve also been conducting public meetings in the Wasatch Back area. Rasmussen says he thinks people will be excited once they see what’s coming.
The current plan has 8 development proposals, including getting rid of the 28 camp sites at the Red Rock area and making 11 year-round cabins, additionally the Red Rock boat ramp site would transform the 29 camping spots into a day use area with 30 picnic pavilions.
Another proposed action would change the Chalk Creek area from its current use as a walk-in fishing access to 18 RV/tent camping spots, a restroom and shower facility and a sports court and open playground.
The plan has not been finalized yet, but the current proposal can be found here.
The addition of Echo is meant to alleviate use at Jordanelle and Deer Creek. Rasmussen says that alleviation hasn’t happened yet, but the facility update will create the infrastructure to do that.
“Our goal throughout the whole process is to be able to keep the park open as we build the new facilities.” Rasmussen said, “We’re going to start at that south beach entrance, meanwhile keeping the north entrance open.”
