First of three parts

DAVIS COUNTY ó The media blitz has made sure anyone over the age of 10 with a heartbeat has heard of the Legacy Parkway. But have you heard about the Legacy Parkway Scenic Byway? State Scenic Byway status has been obtained for the area around the new 14-mile road that opened last Saturday afternoon. It was the brainchild of a few Davis County folks who got the ball rolling. Three of the key players were Wilf Sommerkorn, former Davis County Community & Economic Development director, Neka Roundy, tourism coordinator in that same office, and Gary Uresk, Woods Cross city administrator. ##M:MORE##

ìWeíre excited about being a state scenic byway,î Roundy said, adding in the next breath, ìwe will make application either this year or next year.î

The state scenic byway process was started in 2002, quickly gaining unanimous support from the State Byway Commission.

ìAs soon as the Governor got on his motorcycle (last Saturday), we were official,î she said.

A 60-page plus byway master plan has been created containing chapters on intrinsic qualities, corridor boundaries, vision, parkway style, design guidelines, and land use plan.

Itís been created in conjunction with city planners and administrators from adjoining cities, county and state officials.

ìAs we had meeting after meeting in the Parkway with the environmentalists (before approval was granted for construction), we realized weíve got an important area, on the shores of the Great Salt Lake,î said Uresk.

ìUDOT (Utah Department of Transportation) caught the vision, turned it into a parkway. They redid their thinking on how to design the road.î

Of the Byway idea, he said ìa few people kindíve snickered at us. They said weíve got this highway going by refineries, etc. Itís not a scenic byway.

ìIf you compare it to the Mirror Lake Highway, Logan Canyon, or some of the roads in Southern Utah, I agree. Itís not on that par,î Uresk said.

ìAs we studied the scenic byway program, and what the intent is for it, to give people a feel for an area, some intrinsic values in the area, the road becomes a way for people to get involved in it.

ìYou donít just drive from point A to point B. You experience it,î he said.

ìAs you drive there, it gives some interesting views of the mountains that you canít get from I-15, and as you get closer to the Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island, you can get a little different feel,î Uresk said.

A ìpulloutî area adjoining the entrance to the Legacy at 5th South in Bountiful is one way to inform motorists, bicyclist and others of what the highway and area is about.

It includes parking for motorized vehicles and bicycles, decorative stone benches, and a covered information area. A map of the highway, FrontRunner stops, and a glimpse of birds who frequent the adjacent Legacy Nature Preserve is provided.

Consultant Shren Hauri of MBG+A was retained to develop the master plan in conjunction with the committee.

ìIn most places there will be no west side development, except in Centerville (already there),î Roundy said.

ìEach of the cities has adopted a version of these model ordinances,î Roundy said of the Byway master plan.

ìEconomic development is now opening up for some cities that will fall under this model ordinance,î she said. ìThere will be a unique look, a continuation of style that will continue up the entire corridor.î

ìWe want to make sure east side development interfaces with the parkway,î Uresk said. ìIt would be a shame if we got all of these signs, urban stuff on the east and then open space on the west.

ìWe are going to try to make sure it transitions to the parkway.î

tbusselberg@davisclipper.com