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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This concurrent resolution recognizes the innovative ParksPass application developed
11 by the Division of Parks and Recreation in connection with Dixie State University and
12 Southern Utah University.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 ▸ describes how the Division of Parks and Recreation worked with Dixie State
16 University and Southern Utah University to develop the ParksPass application to
17 benefit staff and visitors at Utah's state parks;
18 ▸ applauds the Division of Parks and Recreation, Dixie State University, and Southern
19 Utah University for their work on ParksPass;
20 ▸ encourages the Division of Parks and Recreation to continue to be creative in using
21 technology to improve visitors' experiences within the state parks system; and
22 ▸ recommends that the Division of Parks and Recreation add a feature to ParksPass to
23 allow state park visitors to make donations to the division.
24 Special Clauses:
25 None
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27 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah, the Governor concurring therein:
28 WHEREAS, the Division of Parks and Recreation hosts millions of visitors each year at
29 Utah's state parks and is the state's leading recreation expert;
30 WHEREAS, the Division of Parks and Recreation manages recreation services, hosts
31 visitors, plans recreation opportunities, funds recreation development, enhances recreation
32 experiences, builds recreation facilities, and provides recreation programs throughout Utah;
33 WHEREAS, the Division of Parks and Recreation uses technology to enhance its ability
34 to efficiently host millions of people each year at Utah's 44 state parks;
35 WHEREAS, Dixie State University and Southern Utah University are education and
36 technology leaders in the state of Utah;
37 WHEREAS, Dixie State University and Southern Utah University attract talented staff
38 and students from around the world to work and study in Utah;
39 WHEREAS, Dixie State University and Southern Utah University employ visionary
40 staff and have students that seek out creative technological solutions and innovations;
41 WHEREAS, staff from the Division of Parks and Recreation, Dixie State University,
42 and Southern Utah University came together to explore how new technology could be
43 developed to improve visitors' experience at Utah's 44 state parks;
44 WHEREAS, Jason Pitts of Dixie State University and Scott Strong of the Division of
45 Parks and Recreation worked together to design and build innovative technology to help
46 efficiently and accurately record visitation at Utah's state parks;
47 WHEREAS, expanding on the technology developed to record state park visitation,
48 staff and students from Dixie State University and Southern Utah University have designed and
49 produced a web-based platform and a mobile application called ParksPass;
50 WHEREAS, ParksPass provides never-before-available functionality and features,
51 including interactive state park maps and trail maps, information on state park amenities, a
52 travel guide to local recreation experiences, contactless payments, a connection between state
53 park visitors and state park staff, and live state park visitation data accessible by park visitors
54 and staff;
55 WHEREAS, Dixie State University staff are using their intelligence, expertise, and
56 resources to beam and broadcast WiFi throughout Utah's state parks to enhance visitors'
57 experience and allow them to better utilize the ParksPass application;
58 WHEREAS, continuing to develop and improve the ParksPass application and other
59 technological innovations will benefit the state's tourism economy, business owners, and local
60 communities in addition to the staff and visitors at our state parks;
61 WHEREAS, Governor Cox was excited to be the first visitor to use ParksPass to buy an
62 entrance pass at Snow Canyon State Park; and
63 WHEREAS, development of ParksPass and other innovative technology has benefitted
64 higher education in the state by providing students with opportunities to participate in the
65 practical application of what they are learning:
66 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah, the
67 Governor concurring therein, applauds the outstanding recreation leadership that the Division
68 of Parks and Recreation provides to all those that recreate outdoors.
69 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor applaud Mr.
70 Pitts, Mr. Strong, the Division of Parks and Recreation, and the forward-thinking staff and
71 students at Dixie State University and Southern Utah University for their support, expertise,
72 and dedication to improve and enhance visitors' experience at Utah's 44 fabulous state parks.
73 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage the
74 Division of Parks and Recreation to continue to work with the state's higher education
75 institutions to creatively identify, design, build, and deploy advanced technological solutions to
76 provide Utah's state park visitors with easy access to state park information and recreation
77 experiences.
78 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor express their
79 support and appreciation for the creation and development of the ParksPass web portal and
80 mobile application.
81 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature and the Governor encourage the
82 Division of Parks and Recreation to develop a feature within ParksPass by which users of the
83 application can make donations to the Division of Parks and Recreation to help the division
84 fund further state park projects and enhancements.
85 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the director of
86 the Division of Parks and Recreation, the executive director of the Department of Natural
87 Resources, the president of Dixie State University, and the president of Southern Utah
88 University.