Murdock Canal Trail System
About 15 years ago Utah County mayors asked Mountainland Association of Governments (MAG) to put some muscle into completing the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. They also wanted a trail system in and between their communities. In 2000, as MAG developed its area-wide 30-year transportation plan (Utah, Summit, and Wasatch Counties), with great vision, they also planned trails and lanes for bicycles and pedestrians. A large accomplishment of this plan includes the Murdock Canal Trail System which connects with a dozen other trails.
The Murdock Canal Trail System was completed in Spring of 2013. The Trail extends through seven cities including Orem, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, Cedar Hills, American Fork, Highland and Lehi and is 20 miles in length. The Trail took 18 years to complete from start to finish and has been embraced by users throughout Utah County with annual rider counts exceeding 257,000 in Pleasant Grove alone.
The trail is a priceless amenity that will benefit many generations. The trail not only connects the users physically but enhances the overall sense of community through each of these seven cities. Usage of the trail system has helped to decrease mobile emissions and improved health, not only due to air quality but by providing a means to get exercise while commuting to work. The trail system encourages people to get out and walk, bike or run while providing the opportunity to also meet and greet other users.
