The race to save the 1,350 acres that is Bonanza Flats is still on after the original deadline in March was extended to June 15. A majority of the funding necessary to make the $38 million purchase has already been secured, but the coalition of non-profits working hard to preserve our playground are running out of time. So far, their efforts have raised $10,096,410, but they still need everyone's help to find the remaining $2,903,590 to complete their goal of saving the pristine alpine lakes, forests, flowers, and mountain peaks that comprise Bonanza Flats. 

Special Donations

In the past few weeks, some very special donations have been made to support the effort. After initially spearheading the idea to purchase the Bonanza Flats, five Park City councilors and Mayor Jack Thomas each contributed a $25,000 challenge grant from their personal pocketbooks, which was successfully matched by the Save Bonanza Flats coalition.  In addition, Wasatch County, where part of the land is located, has now offered $25,000 for the acquisition after initially showing no interest in the purchase. It's a huge win for the effort, especially considering the county has no dedicated funding for open space.

Upcoming Fundraising Events 

Coalition organizations are, of course, still accepting donations. (To contribute, visit wesaveland.org.) You can also help out by participating in some of the upcoming fundraising events.

• The Park City Leadership Class #23 is currently scheduled to host an auction on Bidding for Good with proceeds going to benefit the campaign. The auction runs from May 12 - 26 and you can check it out at www.biddingforgood.com/savebonanzaflat once it opens. 

• The Paint Mixer in Sugar House (1327 E 2100 S) is hosting a fundraiser on May 10 at 6:30 p.m. to raise money for Utah Open Lands. They're painting their awesome logo on 16x20 size canvases. Part of your ticket price gets donated to the organization and the Bonanza effort! This event is for painters 21+ only!

• Prewitt Gallery is offering 50 percent off Hal Prewitt's stunning photos and giving clients the chance to donate 25 percent of the price to the Bonanza effort. If you have a bare wall in your home, you should consider visiting the Prewitt Gallery (570 Main St) and to pick up something beautiful that also helps us save Bonanza.

• Friends of Alta are also planning an online auction (dates/times T.B.A) with 2 JetBlue one-way travel vouchers, any city to any city. 

• Utah Open Lands (UOL) is hosting a Yoga and Live Music event on May 12 at Centered City Yoga in Salt Lake City (926 E 900 South) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Come restore yourself with the donation-based Vinyasa flow and live banjo accompaniment by Ben "Chappy" Chapman! "Bonanza Flats has always felt like a playground to me. A place to engage physically and release mentally,” said Kristina Sandi a Yogi at Centered City Yoga.  “Banjo accompaniment was my solution to conjuring up imagery of our mountain landscape without actually being outside. I hope this will be the first of many bluegrass and yoga collaborations to benefit the conservation of our open lands," said Sandi.

• UOL recently announced a coalition event to raise money to match the Wasatch County commitment of $25,000.  The event will be held at the pavilion at the Heber Valley Historic Railroad Depot on May 12 from 5-7 p.m. with a free 2 hour train ride starting at 7:00 p.m. for any one who contributes $15 or more to Bonanza.

• On May 13, UOL is hosting a fundraiser party at Rock & Reilly's in Park City (427 Main St) with live music, a raffle, silent auction, live auction and more with 100 percent of the proceeds going to save Bonanza Flats. It's part of an effort with professional multi-sport athlete Andrew Muse who reached out to his contacts with the outdoor industry from Cloud 9 to Rossignol and Merrill who have donated product whereby all proceeds will go to the purchase of Bonanza Flat. "The reason why I feel passionate about Save Bonanza Flats is that I am frustrated with the never ending development and exploitation of these beautiful places. If things keep going at this rate there will be nothing left for our children,” said Muse.

• Double or nothing, that is the new challenge grant running May 8th-14th from High West Distillery. The purveyors of local whiskey favorites have issued a $5,000 challenge grant for the protection of Bonanza Flat. 

Stay tuned for more events! You can, of course, also donate to the cause through the Summit Land Conservancy website or with any of the other coalition organizations. Let's save our playground!