Woodward Park City has kicked off its winter season with the launch of Play Forever Fridays, offering discounted access and community engagement activities. This initiative connects visitors with local nonprofits and promotes outdoor recreation, enhancing participation in sports and safety education.
Woodward Park City has officially launched its winter season, marking the occasion with the introduction of Play Forever Fridays. On the first day of operations, the Hot Laps chairlift began operating and the resort attracted numerous visitors eager to engage in activities organized by local nonprofits focused on education and youth programming, both indoors and outdoors.
The Play Forever Friday series at Woodward combines discounted access with community education, aiming to connect visitors with local organizations and promote outdoor recreation. Each Play Forever Friday offers an admission fee of $35 for either access to indoor facilities or lift tickets, significantly lower than the regular weekend pass price of $169. Furthermore, 15% of ticket sales is allocated to two highlighted nonprofits.
Woodward Park City not only provides grant opportunities throughout the year but also designs these Fridays to foster conversation and engagement, stepping beyond traditional fundraising methods. The initiative aims to bring the local community into the fold and invite active participation in various programs. While the Play Forever initiative operates at a national level, Jay Burke, the park's marketing director, emphasizes that each event is tailored to resonate with local community needs, selecting nonprofits that align with how visitors utilize the facilities and surrounding mountains.
For the current season, eight nonprofits are selected to participate, facilitating four monthly events, which is an increase from previous years when only four organizations were featured for the entire winter. Each event pairs a established nonprofit with a smaller organization, fostering cooperation and broader engagement opportunities for all involved.
The December Play Forever Friday featured participation from the Utah Avalanche Center and the Carry On Foundation. The avalanche center's involvement represented an opportunity to connect with a new audience about safety in backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
In addition, the Carry On Foundation hosted a skateboarding session at Woodward Park City aimed at introducing youth to skateboarding while promoting mental health programs. The foundation integrates action sports with skill-building for mental resilience, emphasizing that techniques learned on the skateboard reflect broader life challenges.
Following this successful launch, future Play Forever Fridays are planned throughout the winter, with upcoming participants including the Youth Sports Alliance and the WILS Foundation. The aim is not only to provide discounted access but also to forge deeper connections within the community, encouraging a sustainable lifestyle of adventure.
This innovative approach underscores Woodward Park City's commitment to supporting the local community while providing an accessible environment where outdoor exploration can flourish.