The Centerville Trails Committee recently met with the city council to present a draft of the city’s first Trails Master Plan. Developed over the past year, this long-range “dream” plan aims to add approximately 20 miles of multi-use foothill trails supporting hiking, biking and equestrian use. The project intends to transform unofficial, user-made tracks along the Centerville hillside into a formally recognized regional trail system.

However, expanding the trail system requires overcoming a major regulatory hurdle. Representatives from the U.S. Forest Service, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources and Davis County have made it clear that federal approval for any trail expansions onto forest lands depends entirely on having adequate trailhead infrastructure in place, specifically paved parking and permanent restrooms, trails committee members said.

To clear this hurdle, the committee has identified the county-owned Deuel Creek trailhead as the city’s top immediate priority. While Deuel Creek is already the city’s most heavily trafficked trail and a popular staging area for outdoor enthusiasts, it currently lacks formal grading, pavement and waste management. The proposed $322,000 transformation would add clearing, grading, asphalt pavement, curb and gutter infrastructure, lighting and a two-stall concrete pit vault restroom facility. Once completed, the lot could accommodate 40 to 60 standard vehicles, with layout options expanding up to 90 spots to comfortably fit larger trucks, horse trailers, and utility terrain vehicles.

During the meeting, the city council focused on practical concerns and funding opportunities. Councilmember Robyn Mecham raised questions about whether restroom facilities might attract vandalism or illegal camping, echoing historical concerns from past city leadership. Committee members reassured the council that low-maintenance pit vault facilities differ significantly from full-service restrooms and have seen overwhelmingly positive results in neighboring municipalities. 

Citing nearby examples like Kaysville’s Fernwood Recreation Site, they noted that such issues typically occur in valley city parks rather than up on the rugged hillside. 

Other ideas were weighed during the session, including a suggestion by Councilmember Rick Bangerter to coordinate trailhead road improvements with potential cemetery development in the area to leverage shared infrastructure investments, though committee members viewed the two projects as separate planning efforts.

Funding for the Deuel Creek project looks highly promising, committee members said. Because of its proximity to the regional Bonneville Shoreline Trail, Davis County officials have indicated a willingness to cover 50 percent of the estimated $322,000 project cost and have even floated the idea of eventually transferring ownership of the land directly to Centerville. Councilmember Gina Hirst expressed strong support for moving forward, noting that the county’s matching commitment presents an incredible opportunity for the city. 

Ultimately, the city council reached a general consensus to move the Trails Master Plan toward formal adoption and to continue exploring funding options for the Deuel Creek trailhead. While the committee estimates it could take three to five years to complete the necessary technical legwork, wildlife mapping and environmental reviews to break ground on the full 20 miles of trails, adopting the master plan remains the vital first step. Having an officially adopted written plan is a consistent prerequisite for outside funding, giving the city the legal standing required to apply for competitive recreation grants and negotiate property easements with local private landowners, they said.