Email Sent to Basin Recreation Decision-Makers:

Hello Basin Recreation Decision-makers, 

My name is Kayla Jacks. I have lived in Park City for just over 4 years now; I have a feeling a lot of you have been here much longer than that!

I am writing in hopes that the included petition full of support will encourage you to include a town bunny hill - equipped with a magic carpet or tow rope - in your Master Plans that are currently in the works. Coincidentally, the Park Record just published an article regarding just this, though I have been drafting this email for a few days now. 

Please, please consider adding this to your agenda! Let's get the conversation started! We believe Basin Recreation is the perfect host for such an addition to Park City. Trailside Bike Park is a wonderful example of a successful staple in the community in which you created! We can consider this the winter version of that.

I can make this a personal appeal as my pain points in getting my toddler to the resorts are many. Instead, I have included a list of signatures from petitioners (consider this a community survey of sorts) who all share the same grief and hopes for something better. This tells me - and should show you - that there are many who would love to see this come to fruition.

Petition link for your convenience: https://www.change.org/pcbunnyhill

Pain Points of relying on the resorts (and Woodward):

Paid parking ($25) - free parking is only available during nap times or times in which children are in school and working parents are, well,  working

Resort closing times are around 4pm - nap time ending and end of day school times do not support an afternoon trip to the bunny hills

Access to bunny hill(s) - parking fills up at each resort; Canyons is a terrible trek up the mountain from Cabriolet with young children, etc.

Ability to focus - hundreds of other skiers, cool lifts, and all other chaos hinders a child's ability to focus on their own session

Woodward - cost ($20-$35/visit) and hours (9a-10a, Saturday and Sunday only for micros) are not conducive to toddler skiers

Lessons - the cost of lessons for a young person are astronomical (on top of all other factors to cost of entry for skiing)
Overall lack of convenience in a ski town - cost, timing, locations, parking

Pros of a dedicated bunny hill (but not limited to):

Kids get to learn to ski - biggest positive is that children will be better able to learn the skill of skiing in a dedicated area, without added distractions

Family bonding - parents will be better able to facilitate family time and guidance for their little athletes

Outdoor exposure - like finding a great sledding hill, this bunny hill will get everyone involved outdoors and into nature; rather than holding up children indoors all winter long

Mental health - echoing the previous point, getting the kids out there is so great for mental health... and for the adults too!

Cost-savings for families - no matter how much money you have, it is always great to not waste it

Timeliness - families can go whenever it suits their schedule within open - and extended - hours that make sense for children

Potential outlet for teenagers to get involved - let's put them to work in a way they may enjoy and feel empowered by

Great recognition for Basin Recreation - we all know Basin Rec is a huge pillar in the Park City community that encourages children as a part of its mission

I would also like to point out that I am leaving the petition open so as to gather as much support as possible. Change.org notes that per every 25 views of a petition, one signature is gathered. This petition has in fact gathered one signature per every 17 views so far; and within less than 48 hours over 200 supporters have signed for this bunny hill!

I have also attached a brainstorm of possible ideas/suggestions for a few of the logistics for such an endeavor. Of course, as the Basin Recreation Team, I am certain you are able to find the right solutions. To plant the seed, Kodiak Cakes may be willing to hear about the potential to sponsor the hill; in what capacity is still unknown. 

Thank you ever so much for your time. Your community does appreciate your consideration on this motion for a town bunny hill! We also appreciate all that Basin Recreation has done for Park City in general!

In providing full transparency, I will be sending a similar appeal to the Park City Recreation Board for consideration as well. I am under the impression they are working on their plans for Quinn's. However, Basin Recreation feels like a proper fit for this project with many more opportunities to make it happen!

Please do not hesitate to contact me for any reason at all. I would love to be able to aid in any way I can to get this going. I will follow up after this coming weekend. 

Sincerely,
Kayla Jacks and the Park City Community
Resident of Silver Creek