Park City is a place where people care deeply, show up for one another, and believe that community can still be a force for good. That belief shaped every major decision I’ve made over the past four years. Serving as Park City’s first female mayor has been the honor of my life. While I did n ot campaign on that distinction, I understand what it represents — not just for me, but for our evolving community. My path to public life was shaped in my youth by frequent moves in the name of service. My father worked on heavy construction projects across the West, and our family learned how to put down roots and pull them up again as life required. That pattern continued into adulthood, including my own time in the Navy. I didn’t fully understand the value of staying put until I met the love of my life — my husband, Mike — and we settled for a time in Alabama. After earning two degrees and working in public health, I found myself drawn to bridging gaps between systems and people. That instinct has guided me since — listening first, leading with compassion, and building trust. I brought that philosophy with me to Park City when we made it our forever home in 2008. One of my proudest accomplishments as mayor was re-opening City Hall after the pandemic. By that, I don’t just mean unlocking the doors. I mean opening your municipal government — insisting on transparency and accessibility. I held twice monthly “Meet with the Mayor” sessions because good government starts with conversation. And you showed up — sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly, often passionately. That engagement matters. Park City faces both immediate pressures and long-term challenges like transportation, affordability, growth and protecting the character that makes this place home. During my term, we took meaningful steps to protect our neighborhoods, including lowering residential speed limits citywide. That decision was about re-balancing daily life in a world-class resort town, ensuring that residents remain at the center of the experience. We launched greatly expanded service from the Richardson Flat Park Ride to area resorts — a successful effort that has reduced single-occupancy vehicles entering the city core. Our steady progress to re-imagine S.R. 248 reflects years of coordination and persistence. We also completed the 3Kings Water Treatment Plant, which will serve Park City with clean, reliable drinking water for decades to come — essential work that rarely makes headlines. Affordability has guided many of our most important efforts. The EngineHouse affordable housing development is a defining achievement. The first of its kind in Park City, a public-private partnership, it provides for-rent units to members of the local workforce within walking distance of transit, grocery stores, businesses, and recreation – supporting a more sustainable, connected way of living.  Our child-care scholarship program tackled affordability head-on, helping working families stay in Park City, and has inspired a similar effort in Summit County. When local government comes up with creative solutions surrounding complicated issues, others often follow. We also invested in community spaces that reflect who we are. The new community center at City Park — The Mine — will serve as a gathering place for generations. Upgrades to the MARCaquatic facilities were long overdue. Progress toward a new senior center has not always been easy, and delays can be disappointing, but relationships have improved and we are committed to serving our growing senior population. Not every chapter of my tenure has been a win. The departure of the Sundance Film Festival and the Kimball Art Center’s decision to pursue a new home with a different development partner are real losses. These institutions helped make up Park City’s cultural identity, and their absence will be felt across our community. I believe local government’s role is to create the conditions for creativity, culture, and artistic expression to thrive. We are fortunate to have extraordinary local artists among us, and with thoughtful leadership, Park City will continue to foster a vibrant cultural landscape. As we look ahead, I believe one of the greatest tests before Park City is whether we remain open — open to new ideas and new solutions. We cannot slam the door shut on younger residents who are just getting started, shut out families putting down their own roots, or not welcome folks who are essential to a truly vibrant community — teachers, first responders, health-care providers, service workers, and many others. Communities that stop evolving do not protect themselves — they fall behind. We must continue to prioritize affordable opportunities to live in Park City. The years in front of us are crucial. By building trust and collaboration with state leaders, Park City now has a seat at the table as planning begins for the 2034 Winter Games. We are positioned to advocate proactively for our community – ensuring the Olympics strengthen rather than strain the place we call home. I am confident that our new leadership at the city recognizes this moment. The work of local government is all-encompassing, and it has been my life for the better part of 15 years. What I will miss most about being mayor (and in public service in general) are the people — city staff who show up every day with dedication and care, as well as residents who engage sincerely, ask hard questions, and push us to do better. If you have ever thought of running for office, just do it. You will make the most amazing new friends. This is not goodbye, Park City. Mike and I will remain active, engaged and invested in this community we love. I leave office confident in our future and deeply grateful for the trust you placed in me.  It has been an honor to serve as your mayor. Nann Worel’s has served as Park City mayor from 2022 until the new year. She served on the City Council from 2016 to 2022, and the Planning Commission from 2011 through 2015. The post What I’ve learned serving as Park City’s mayor, and why it matters for the future appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less