When Tom Bonner first stepped into the role of Parks and Recreation Director for Wasatch County on June 6, 1995, the entire department consisted of… well, him. “I was the only employee,” he recalls. “I hired a few seasonals in the summer to mow grass and chalk baseball diamonds. But everything else? I did it myself.”
Three decades later, the department he built now spans over 160 acres of parkland, a nationally recognized Event Center, a vibrant Rec Center that sees thousands of local families annually, year-round programming, and nearly 90 full-time and part-time staff. And this summer, Tom is stepping away from it all, retiring after a career defined by service, growth, and deep local roots.
A Wasatch County Native with Deep Roots
“I’ve been the director for all 30 years,” Tom says with a modest smile. “Same job, my whole career.” That’s pretty rare these days.
Rare, indeed, but fitting for a fifth-generation native of Wasatch County who still remembers when Heber had a single stoplight and Dairy Keen was the only drive-thru in town. Growing up in Midway, Tom probably never imagined that one day he’d oversee a department that would become central to community life in the valley.
His journey to Parks and Rec wasn’t exactly planned. At the time, Tom was working in the golf business at the Homestead. “I wasn’t even looking for a job,” he says. “But my boss, Chris Brisco, told me, ‘If you don’t apply for that job, I’m going to fire you.’” Thankfully, Tom listened. “He was the smartest business mind I’ve ever known, and he saw something I didn’t. Turns out, he was right.”
From the very beginning, Tom approached Parks and Rec with a clear mission: build something that brings people together and make it accessible for all.
“I used to do everything,” he recalls. “Mowing lawns, dragging fields, running programs, even scorekeeping. And I used my family too,” he laughs. “They were my free labor, my wife Angie, my daughter McKinzie, and my son Max; they helped with cleanup, time clocks, and concession stands. You name it.”
Over the years, Tom’s department expanded dramatically, but he never lost that hands-on spirit. His assistant director, Heath Coleman, began working for Tom at the age of 16 and is viewed by some as the natural continuation of his legacy. “Heath’s done every job in this department,” Tom says. “From grounds crew to program director. He knows it inside and out.”
It’s that kind of homegrown loyalty that defines the Parks and Rec team. Many of Tom’s senior staff have been with him for 15 to 29 years. “Amaria Schovil’s been with me 29 years. Kim Kowallis, 20 years. Eric Lappe and John Provost, over 15. That kind of continuity is unheard of. I don’t have much turnover, and that’s a testament to how much they care about this place.”
Under Tom’s leadership, Wasatch County has become a go-to destination for major events. “We could do events every weekend if we wanted to,” he says. “But I’ve always told my team: From Memorial Day to Labor Day, we go hard. Then we rest. I want them to have a life too.”
Among the department’s crowning achievements is the Demolition Derby. Once on the verge of disappearing, the derby has exploded in popularity. “Ten years ago, we were lucky to get seven or eight cars,” Tom says. “Now, we’re the biggest derby west of the Mississippi. We host drivers from Canada, Florida, Wisconsin, and beyond. It’s wild.”
More of Tom’s favorite events include the Firecracker Baseball Tournament—”It’s wood bat, old-school baseball. I love it”— and the Utah State High School Rodeo Finals, which Tom helped host during his very first summer on the job. “That event is special. The kids, the tradition, it’s pure Heber.”
Powered By Community Support
Tom credits the local community and businesses for much of the department’s success. “We have 40-plus sponsors contributing over $250,000 annually,” he says. “Mountainland Auto, Karl Malone Dodge, Redmond Salt, Lee’s, Moe at One Stop—they don’t hesitate. If I needed a thousand dollars tomorrow, Moe would pull it out of his pocket. That’s just who he is.”
Even staffing major events is a community effort. “The high school football team takes tickets. The cheerleaders and girls’ soccer team help clean up and run exhibits. The band and boosters run concession stands. We try to give back to the teams, because they show up for us.”
Tom also worked hard to ensure the department was built with minimal burden to taxpayers. Over the years, Heber City has seen a couple of property tax increases. However, the majority of funding for major recreational projects like the Rec Center, the Event Center, and the city’s expanding park system has come from transient room and restaurant taxes. In other words, it’s largely visitors, those who stay in local hotels and dine in town, who have helped foot the bill for Heber’s recreational growth, allowing the city to expand without placing a significant burden on local taxpayers.
Like any growing town, Heber Valley faces its share of challenges. Chief among them? Space. “Even with all our fields and parks, we still don’t have enough. Mondays through Thursdays are packed with practices and leagues. In the winter, the Rec Center is bursting at the seams.”
Tom sees solutions on the horizon, with the county owning property for future parks and facilities. He also hopes to see a dedicated exhibit hall built, something that could serve the fair, host community events, and become a versatile indoor space.
Still, Tom believes the department is in good hands. “I may be retiring, but I think things are only going to get better. We’ve laid a strong foundation, and the team is
always ready.”
When asked what he’s most proud of, Tom doesn’t hesitate. “The relationships. The employees who’ve become family. The kids I’ve watched grow up. And the fact that, for 30 years, people have trusted us to do what’s right for this valley.”
A Farewell to the Valley He Loves
Tom and Angie are moving to Arizona, seeking sunshine, a little golf, and fewer snowflakes. “I just can’t do the winters anymore,” he admits with a smile. “But I’ll be back. My family’s here. My roots are here. I’ll never really leave.”
Still, the change is bittersweet. “Heber has changed so much. I don’t even recognize parts of it anymore. But the spirit? That’s still here. This is a vibrant community. People care. They support each other. That’s never changed.”
As he prepares for retirement, Tom reflects on what he hopes people take away from a visit to a game, the fair, or the Rec Center. “I want them to feel safe. I want them to have fun. And I want them to feel proud of what we’ve built, because it’s theirs, not mine.”
Thank You, Tom
After 30 years of early mornings, late nights, and countless events, Tom’s departure marks the end of an era, but it also shines a light on the lasting impact of a leader who believed in people, rolled up his sleeves, and made Heber Valley a better place to live, play, and grow.
Thank you, Tom, for 30 years of heart, hustle, and homegrown leadership. Your contributions will continue to shape Heber Valley’s parks, programs, and community spirit for years to come.
