4/18/2022 Redrock Roundup: 5 Southern Utah stories you may have missed

1. Zion National Park’s Canyon Overlook Trail undergoing renovation

The renovation is scheduled to be completed by early June. Parts of the trail and trailhead will be closed periodically as work is done on the trail Mondays through Thursdays.

Read the full story from Carter Williams with KSL: https://www.ksl.com/article/50389097/one-of-zion-national-parks-older-more-popular-trails-is-getting-a-makeover-

2. National Park rangers struggling to clean up graffiti

Park rangers in Utah’s national parks are struggling to clean up graffiti left behind in Utah’s natural areas. Carvings into rock, stickers, permanent markers, and spray paint can take up to 35 hours to clean up in just one area, and leave long-term damage to the park.

Read the full story from Stephanie DeGraw with St. George News: https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2022/04/16/sdw-graffiti-grips-zion-national-park/#.Yl3noDfMIWo

3. What’s causing the massive crowds at Utah’s National Parks?

Excluding a large dip during 2020, more people than ever are visiting Utah’s five national parks. Utah’s five parks saw 11 million visitors in 2021, a 79% increase compared to 2011. A combination of factors including several successful ad campaigns has led to the surge, and now parks are trying to manage the popularity.

Read the full story from Robert Lawrence with KSL: https://www.ksl.com/article/50386543/what-caused-the-mighty-return-to-the-mighty-5-national-parks

4. St. George’s economy is uniquely “top-heavy,” according to economists

St. George is one of Utah’s fastest growing economies, but unique demographics account for a unique economic structure. 28% of St. George’s population is over 65, much higher than the state and national averages.

Read the full story from Alysha Lundgren with St. George News: https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2022/04/18/agl-an-interesting-conundrum-chief-economist-says-st-george-is-utahs-most-top-heavy-economy/#.Yl3nTjfMIWo

5. A weather balloon from a California middle school is lost somewhere in the Grand Staircase

A middle school weather balloon project became lost and crashed somewhere in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. The GPS beacon was found but the rest of the balloon has vanished into the wilderness.

Read the full story from Alex Cabrero with KSL: https://www.ksl.com/article/50388511/search-is-on-for-weather-balloon-in-grand-staircase-escalante-national-monument