Poppy paparazzi causing problems in Utah communities
Jun 7, 2024, 6:00 PM
Spring poppy field landscape against colorful sky and light clouds. Poppy photos are all the rage right now, especially at the Alpine and Mantua poppy fields. However, locals say it's causing some problems. (Taiga - Fotolia)
(Taiga - Fotolia)
MANTUA, Utah — Poppy photo-ops are all the rage this time of year, especially at the Alpine and Mantua poppy fields. However, locals say it’s causing some problems.
It’s a picture-perfect setting, with beautiful fields dotted with bright red poppies. But, the poppies don’t bloom for long. Because of this, there’s a mad dash to get the perfect shot before it’s too late.
Mantua Police Chief Dakota Midkiff said his biggest issue is all the cars.
“The double parking and blocking the roadway,” he said.
Karen Nelson is on Mantua’s City Council and said they want people to enjoy the poppies it all comes down to respect.
“To get their perfect shot they’re willing to, kind of, chop down the poppies to get to the place they want to take the shot,” she said. “We wish they would be a little bit more respectful of the poppies so that they’re not annihilated by the end of their run.”
She also said the only access road for some residents is the poppy road.
“There’s been times that people really needed to and couldn’t get down,” Nelson said.
She asked everyone to be considerate with parking and preserving the beautiful field.
Britt Johnson is a reporter and anchor for KSL NewsRadio.
