A conservation easement will permanently protect Treasure Hill’s scenic viewshed, natural habitat for wildlife, public outdoor recreation, and the historic character of Old Town Park City.

(Park City, Utah) April 3, 2025 – The Summit Land Conservancy has officially closed on a permanent conservation easement that will protect the iconic hillside above Old Town Park City, known as Treasure Hill. The 105-acre property includes the Town Lift chairlift, several winter ski runs, and classic multi-use hiking and biking trails that are beloved by locals and visitors. The property offers views of skiers descending snow covered ski runs in the winter and the forested hillsides are particularly striking in the fall with vibrant, colorful foliage.

For many years, Treasure Hill was owned and managed by the Sweeney family and before that, the Park City United Mining Company. The land has quite literally had a “rich” history since the 1800’s. The Silver King Mine, which resides above the Treasure Hill slopes, became operational in 1892 and is known as one of the “Big Four” mines that made Park City mining profitable. The Silver King Mine later became one of the most famous silver mines in the world. In the 1950’s the declining price and demand for silver forced the mines to close, and the mining company and other Park City locals proposed a ski resort for the property. Shortly after, Treasure Mountain Resort opened in 1963. It was considered the first destination resort, and the beginning of the ski industry in Park City. The original area of Treasure Hill is now a part of Park City Mountain.

In 1986, the Park City Planning Commission approved the Treasure Hill Master Plan Development which comprised of approximately 1,000,000 square feet of commercial uses including a hotel, convention center, and more. The project saw nearly thirty years of opposition, deliberation, multiple Conditional Use Permit applications by the landowners, and ardent public opposition to the proposed development. THINC (Treasure Hill Impact Neighborhood Coalition) founded by members of Park City’s residential community, raised public awareness to preserve and protect Park City’s Historic Old Town from the largescale development.

Niels Vernegaard, now a board member of the Summit Land Conservancy, and formerly a member of THINC said, "The conservation of Treasure Hill is the culmination of years of work by many organizations and individuals dedicated to saving this iconic land for future generations. It is a true testament of Parkites’ love of open space that they agreed to the tax which funded the purchase of the land so that it can remain as is forever."

In February 2018, Park City leaders approved an agreement to acquire the Treasure Hill property for $64 million from the Sweeney family and a firm called Park City II, LLC -- the most expensive conservation purchase in the history of Park City Municipal Corporation’s open space program. In November 2018, residents within Park City’s limits voted to approve a $48 million bond to cover most of the purchase price. The bond passed with 77% voting in favor.

Today, the 105-acre property is owned by Park City Municipal Corporation. "This partnership marks the culmination of years of effort to permanently safeguard this iconic and highly visible property — an essential part of our mountain town’s character," said Mayor Nann Worel. "I am deeply grateful to our residents for supporting the bond that made this possible and to the Summit Land Conservancy for their dedication to preserving open space."

Summit Land Conservancy, Park City’s local accredited land trust, will hold the permanent conservation easement on Treasure Hill. King’s Crown, another 11-acre property under easement with the Conservancy, is adjacent to Treasure Hill on the north side. One thousand additional acres are protected by the Conservancy in nearby Empire Canyon.

“This conservation easement represents decades of efforts by individuals, by planning commissions, and elected officials,” stated Summit Land Conservancy CEO, Cheryl Fox. “Summit Land Conservancy is honored to have been part of the effort by supporting the Treasure Hill Bond and working with the City to craft the final conservation easement. Saving this land is truly a community accomplishment.”

Treasure Hill creates spectacular views for the public throughout Park City. The wooded hillside is covered in Oak, Maple, Conifers and Rocky Mountain Quaking Aspen and has been identified as crucial habitat for moose, elk, mule deer, dusky grouse and the northern goshawk, a Sensitive Species. Milkweed plants on the property provide an ideal annual migratory location for the Monarch butterfly, and wildflowers create a suitable habitat for the Western Bumble Bee, a species being reviewed for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Recreationists can visit the property on a variety of natural surface trails accessible from Park City’s Historic Old Town in the spring, summer and fall. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy hiking, trail running, dog walking, and mountain biking across Treasure Hill via Mother Urban, Sweeny’s Switchbacks, John’s 99, and South Sweeney’s, which are all part of and connected to the greater Park City world-class trails network.

The preservation of Treasure Hill will protect Old Town Park City’s quaint character and small-town feel. It is also consistent with community open space values reflected in the Park City General Plan, adopted by the City in 2014. To commemorate the community-wide effort and permanent protection of Treasure Hill, Summit Land Conservancy and Park City Municipal Corporation will host a ribbon cutting “ceremony” at the base of the Treasure Hill Trailhead at 4:30 p.m., on April 30th. Sweets and refreshments will be provided.