As Utah grows, its popular gems are getting more notice, too — Utah County is no exception.

Our home is receiving more publicity and popularity via tourism than ever before. Unfortunately, some parts have been in need of updating and renovation.

Finally, it seems so many entities are getting their acts together to better put our best foot forward.

This week, it was announced that Seven Peaks’ new owner, who reportedly plans to open this May after remaining closed last summer, has big plans.

The park has seen better days and needs more than a fresh coat of paint.

Thinking outside of the box, the water park said it’s going to also include nonwater activities like shows featuring sea lions, tigers and eagles. No joke. You can’t get that at your local rec center.

Residents used to travel from outside of Utah County to visit the water park. We hope the reopening takes place and once again spurs more business during Provo’s summer.

Seven Peaks isn’t the only one getting a face lift.

Timpanogos Cave National Monument, one of the county’s larger draws, is getting a new and long-awaited visitors center this summer. Construction of the visitors center is currently taking place. The previous building in a trailer was intended to be temporary decades ago, but the federal project in American Fork Canyon was continually put off — lasting 27 years after the original burned down in 1991.

The project includes not only a new visitors center but also roadwork, a parking lot and rock fall barrier fence.

This week, Utah County commissioners also took a step forward in contributing to upgrades by granting $4.3 million in funds to the Provo Airport as part of a huge expansion plan. The fund come from the Tourism, Recreation, Cultural and Convention, or TRCC, tax fund. If the airport receives additional funding expected from the Legislature, the airport would build a new terminal with multiple additional gates — which would open the door for more destinations and multiple flights.

Right now, the airport’s small offerings tempt some travelers but hardly draws the masses that commute to Salt Lake City International Airport. We can’t blame them. With minimal routes on limited days, Allegiant currently has narrow options to choose from and has dropped routes in recent years. The expansion will open doors for local businesses from tourists and local residents traveling elsewhere.

In February, the Daily Herald reported that Explore Utah Valley, the county’s visitors bureau, started a concentrated tourism campaign of the county aimed at individual travelers. The campaign highlights places like Timpanogos Cave, Thanksgiving Point, Sundance Mountain Resort and local temples. From that campaign between July and December, 8,700 people who saw ads visited the county.

While Utah County might not be the hottest tourism destination in Utah — we have no national parks and tourism isn’t central to our economy — people are still coming regardless. As Utah grows, even more will likely come to visit all our favorite places. It’s with that in mind that we believe it’s important to take pride and care in these places so as to best represent ourselves. While not everyone has influence over the governmental entities or businesses that operate these popular places, we can all help beautify our areas by picking up litter and making sure we pack out everything we’ve brought when visiting a park, pool or garden.