Road Closure Heads up for Provo City Half Marathon

Thousands of runners will storm through Provo on Saturday, May 4 for the Provo City Half Marathon. We want them to be safe so some driving pattern adjustments will need to be made on that day. Some streets will need to be closed to traffic during the event. If you’re not running in the race, you may want take note of how it could impact traffic.

Photo by the Daily Herald

University Avenue between 300 S and 200 N will be closed from 7:00 pm on Friday May 3rd until 2:00 pm on Saturday May 4th due to the Provo City Half Marathon / 5K.

At 7:00 am, the morning of the race, the outside northbound lane of University Avenue will be closed for the race participants from 300 S. to the mouth of the canyon. Officers allow traffic to get through the intersections when there is a break in the runners. Please detour using 300 South until 2:00 pm.

For event details visit https://run13.com/races/provo-city.

Leash Up! Clean Up!

I am constantly in awe of the natural beauty that surrounds us and the community spirit that fills our city. Our 57 parks are not just recreational areas - they are spaces where memories are made, where families gather, and where nature greets us at every corner. It's our duty to ensure these spaces remain clean, safe, and inviting for everyone.

We Face a Challenge Together. Recently, our community has faced challenges with off-leash dogs and excessive dog waste in our beloved public spaces. These issues extend beyond our parks, affecting private properties, state grounds, school playgrounds, church grounds, and other recreational facilities. Such problems detract from our quality of life and can pose health risks, especially to our children.

Introducing 'Leash Up! Clean Up!' Campaign. To address these concerns, we're launching the 'Leash Up! Clean Up!' initiative. This summer, join us in enhancing the beauty and safety of our community. We're focusing on education, enforcement, and engagement to promote responsible pet ownership, which includes adhering to leash laws and managing pet waste effectively. Join our ‘One Provo: Leash Up! Clean Up!’ effort!

1. Educational Campaigns and Community Engagement - We're dedicated to educating our community about the importance of keeping dogs leashed and cleaning up after them. It’s essential for maintaining the integrity of our public spaces and for respecting the rights and safety of all community members.
   

2. Enhanced Enforcement - Our partnership with Provo Police and Animal Control will increase patrols in key areas to ensure that our community adheres to these important rules. Compliance is critical, and we will address any instances of non-compliance swiftly. Provo City Code 8.02.110—Animals Running at Large (when off-leash), 8.02.120—Sanitation (cleaning up dog poop).
   

3. Designated Off-Leash Areas and Dog Parks - Provo’s existing code and policies allow owners to use parks and trails if the animal is leashed and the owner disposes of dog waste. This approach is successful when a community is united in honoring such rules.
   

   1. Dedicated dog park(s) – Bicentennial Park (1400 E 1440 S) is a designated off-leash dog park. Parks and Recreation is exploring additional locations throughout the city.

   2. Part-time off-leash dog areas – Not currently utilized in Provo. Scheduling off-leash hours at existing parks has been unsuccessfully attempted by a few communities due to continuing conflicts and opposition. Additionally, this option has not appeared to resolve ongoing issues of leash laws and dog waste.

   3. Pet Friendly Residential Developments – Several residential communities and HOA’s are creating off-leash dog facilities on private property to support their tenants with pets.
      

4. Improved Waste Management- Provo Parks and Recreation will help combat the issue of excessive dog waste by installing additional waste disposal stations in strategic locations across our parks and trails. Regular maintenance of these facilities will also be prioritized. Provo School District has also experienced similar issues with off-leash dogs and dog waste on Provo School District grounds and play equipment. There are increasing reports of children returning home from school with dog feces on their clothing, with some suggested to have caused illnesses in several children. The Provo School District is similarly working to establish more fencing, clean-up efforts, and increase signage at school grounds to reduce unwanted off-leash dog conflicts and dog waste.
   

5. Community Involvement - We're calling upon residents to take an active role in safeguarding our parks by reporting any incidents of off-leash dogs or unattended waste. Together, we can ensure the upkeep of our shared recreational spaces.

Our parks and recreational facilities are the jewels of our city. As we strive to address these challenges, I am confident that with your help, we can maintain the beauty and safety of our communal spaces. Let's work together as 'One Provo' to keep our city clean and welcoming for all residents and visitors.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to making Provo a better place for everyone. Together, we can make a difference!

Welcome Gordon Haight: Provo's New Public Works Director

It is my great honor to introduce Gordon Haight as Provo's new Public Works Director. Public Works is the largest department in our city, encompassing a variety of crucial divisions including water, engineering, and public services, which covers streets, sanitation, and fleet. Additionally, the department is responsible for the Provo Airport, an essential asset to our community.

Gordon Haight is ideally suited for this role, bringing over 30 years of experience in municipal work covering engineering, public works, and administration. His deep understanding of our community's needs and his proven track record of leadership and innovation are precisely what Provo needs as we continue to grow and thrive.

During his tenure as city engineer and interim public works director, Gordon played an instrumental role in several significant community projects. These include the overhead pedestrian bridge at Provo Central Station, the expansion of Provo Airport, and the enhancement of our trails and bike paths. Moreover, we are eagerly anticipating the opening of our 100-acre regional park this fall—a project that promises to enhance the quality of life for our residents.

Looking ahead, Gordon will lead transformative projects critical to our city's infrastructure, such as the upgrades to our wastewater and water treatment plants. These initiatives are not just about upgrading our facilities—they're about preparing Provo for a sustainable future, ensuring we can meet the demands of our growing population while maintaining the quality of life that makes our city so special.

Gordon’s journey to this pivotal role started in California, where he was raised before making Utah his home at the age of 21. He is a proud alumnus of BYU, where he earned a Bachelor's in Civil Engineering and a Master's in Engineering Management. Outside of his professional life, Gordon enjoys spending time with his family, particularly camping and hiking with his grandchildren—a testament to his deep appreciation for the natural beauty that surrounds us.

In Gordon Haight, we have a leader who not only meets but exceeds our city’s criteria for dynamic leadership, innovation, and engaging communication. We are confident that his vision and dedication will propel Provo to new heights. Please join me in welcoming Gordon as he takes on this crucial role, steering our public works toward a brighter and more innovative future.