Governor Cox Previews Digital ParksPass
Published: January 11, 2021 | Author: Southern Utah University | Read Time: 2 minutes
A collaboration among the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation, industry experts and Southern Utah University and Dixie State University students, the mobile app allows visitors to purchase day-use passes electronically even before entering the park.
“State Parks took an innovative approach and looked to Southern Utah universities and colleges to create a mobile solution to buying passes, technology for quicker park access and real-time capacity data for both the visitor and park management,” Jason Pitts, SUU research fellow for outdoor pathways, said. “Now, for the first time ever, you can ‘know before you go.’”
An early preview can be seen at parkspass.utah.gov. The full mobile experience will be operational at Snow Canyon State Park, Sand Hollow State Park, Quail Creek State Park, and Gunlock State Park over the coming months. ParksPass signs and automated scanning technology will be installed at the parks, which will speed up entry into the park. The app also provides visitors with trail maps and identifies amenities offered at the parks.
The technology developed by SUU and DSU was implemented at Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks and Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Now, this same real-time technology will be available to Utah’s State Parks visitors.
“Not only does this technology make it easier for Utahns to explore and enjoy our state parks, but it also highlights the incredible talent we have in Southern Utah’s universities,” Eric Pedersen, dean of Dixie State’s College of Science, Engineering & Technology, said. “Students are gaining hands-on experience by helping with this project that prepares them to enter the workforce career-ready as soon as they graduate. This project truly is win-win.”
In addition to SUU and DSU students and employees, Utah State Representative Walt Brooks, Scott Strong with Utah State Parks, and Pitts were instrumental in developing this technology that will benefit all state park visitors.
Tags: Regional Services Utah SUU Outdoors
Contact Information:
435-586-5400
Contact the Office of Marketing Communication
This article was published more than 3 years ago and might contain outdated information or broken links. As a result, its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.