Today I had the opportunity to go to the celebration of a real estate deal.  This real estate deal was special because the land purchased will be preserved for the future.  The 12.6 acres just below the H rock on Salt Lake City's east bench will be forever maintained in its natural state through a conservation easement.  Some of the people involved were Rocky Anderson, Peter Caroon, Salt Lake County Community Council, Salt Lake City Community Council, Utah Open Lands, Quality Growth Commission, East Bench Community Council, Highland High, and the Open Space Land Advisory Board. 

Voters voted for a bond that will be used to preserve open space in Salt Lake.  The bond has 5.4 million to spend.  They spent 612,000 on this project.  This was their first collaborative effort.  

Rocky Anderson spoke and said "Open space is what defines what living in the West is about."  I agree with the mayor and am excited that this effort went so well.  Seeing such a positive result from people working hard right in my community makes me feel good and is a nice contrast from all the doom and gloom I sometimes get from the mainstream media.  

Homeowners have to be thrilled.  This will only help their property values.  The seller is probably happy because he got some cash out of the deal and got to look good doing it.  The community is happy because now they have more open land to enjoy.  This was definitely a win, win, win, that took a lot of work from dedicated community members and taxpayers support.