Smithfield, Utah

3 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 3, ISSUE 7 B eing more health conscious seems to be on the uptick these days. It’s all about healthy choices and healthy habits. This, in turn, creates a healthy lifestyle. And cultivating that healthy lifestyle is much easier when you live in a community that values recreation, fosters activities, promotes programming, and develops facilities. It’s a win-win for the residents and for those that are charged with managing a city. It builds healthy habits. And it builds community. Smithfield City, located in northern Utah, is located near the Idaho border and has just shy of 15,000 residents. While it’s been known as a bedroom community for the City of Logan and nearby Utah State University, Smithfield has been quietly creating its own identity. “We are known as the ‘Health City’,” says Smithfield City’s City Manager, Craig Giles. “One of the things that we do really, really well is our recreation program.” Their recreational programming is robust, and participation from small kids to seniors is sky high. Outdoor activities include everything from hiking to mountain biking. There are also two ski resorts within an hour (southeast and northeast of Smithfield, respectively). Giles describes Smithfield City as a medium- sized city with all the amenities that a large city would provide. He notes, “We have one of the best municipal golf courses in the valley or even the state.” Smithfield City Recreation Director, Brett Daniels, agrees. “Our golf course is beautiful. That brings a lot of people into Smithfield, too. We do have some terrific amenities. When people come into our city, especially when we host meetings with other directors throughout the state, they marvel at all that we have. They can’t believe we have six gymnasiums, and it’s still not enough for us.” ty, Utah ah’s Health City