MORGAN, Utah (AP) — East Canyon State Park in northeastern Utah was recently designated an International Dark Sky Park to become the 14th in Utah to earn that designation.
The classification means East Canyon’s nighttime skies are free enough of light pollution and have an “exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and nocturnal environment,” according to the nonprofit organization that grants the classification.
Park Manager Chris Haramoto says work to get the parked recognized as a dark sky designation took about a half-decade.
That included changing out old park lights for new, dark sky-friendly fixtures with soft tones, full cut-off shielding, motion detectors and timers.
”(The) designation means that East Canyon State Park has beautifully dark night skies that allow visitors to clearly view the Milky Way and other celestial objects,” reads a press release from the International Dark Sky Association.