Draper receives $100,000 reward for new trails

Draper City has received $100,000 from the Federal Recreational Trails Program. The money provides the city with the opportunity to fund the Dear Hollow Trail in addition to the Bunny Bradley trial, adding approximately 2,400 feet of trail.

More than a year ago, Draper residents raised $50,000 and donated it to the city for the construction of a trail in memory of Elizabeth “Bunny” Bradley, who was killed in a bicycle accident in July 2010.

“The $100,000 reward is great for city funding of the trails,” said Brad Jensen, Draper engineering associate. “The city will only fund a little over 25 percent of the construction of the Bunny Bradley Trail and the Dear Hollow Trail.”

The Dear Hollow Trial will be constructed as a continuation of the Bunny Bradley Trail from 13200 South, running perpendicular to the Sadler Trailhead, and finishing at the north end of Dear Hollow Park.

The environmental work for the trails will be completed soon. Then the design will be finalized so construction can start sometime during the beginning of the summer, according to Jensen.

The Bunny Bradley Trial will begin at the Equestrian Center and Cycle Park area. It is planned to be a paved trail and will run along the eastern portion of the UTA rail corridor and end at the Sadler Trailhead at 13200 South.

Both trails are planned to accommodate equestrian use. The Bunny Bradley trial was designed to be a memorial. Bradley’s family donated the $50,000 for the trail a year ago in memory of Bradley’s love for cycling and running. The money was raised for the family through a 5K fun run, held in October 2010.

Plans for additional trails are also being developed, said Jensen. These trails are a few years in the future and will require additional funding.