HSSP planning cycle explained

The planning cycle for the long-awaited Hot Springs State Park Master Plan is scheduled to be completed as soon as March of this year.

A year long planning process by Wyoming State Parks Historic Sites and Trails included three public meetings held in Thermopolis and input from members invited to participate in a steering committee. The public meetings were advertised in advance in the IR by the state park. Articles were ran in advance of meetings as well as afterward summarizing what took place during the meetings.

The 20-year master plan will guide the long-term physical improvement, use and management of the 1,100 acre park. The state’s goal is to provide a comprehensive planning and decision-making structure to accommodate the development of recreational amenities, access and infrastructure in balance with the preservation of natural and cultural resources. The master plan is a guide, not a set of rules that cannot be varied from.

On Sept. 12, 2015, the final public meeting was held in Thermopolis. A number of draft master plans were available for viewing at this meeting. A formal public comment period was then opened and continued through Oct. 23. Around 30-40 citizens attended the meeting. Some expressed concern about where the money was going to come from for this “grand vision” for HSSP while others voiced concern over water levels in the Big Spring.

In a guest editorial which ran in the Oct. 29 IR, director of Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Milward Simpson addressed some concerns and explained the state’s priorities. He stated “development will occur only when and if funding is available and not all development will occur in the next five years or even 15 years.

Simpson also stated the priorities had been identified for the park with this statement, “These are to utilize the thermal water resource for terraces, health and wellness and ensure this use is in compliance with the 1897 treaty; provide complimentary, rather than competing or redundant services in the built environment including pools and lodging; improve aesthetics at the park entry; improve connections and wayfinding to and from downtown Thermopolis; expand the existing trail system; and improve opportunities for recreation along the river.”

Once the planning process is complete, there will be one more opportunity for public review of the final master plan for HSSP.

Based on the draft master plans, concerns regarding the future of the Star Plunge have been raised. A petition was placed within the business asking for signatures with the simple statement of “We want to be included in all HSSP master plans.”

If you have not seen the draft master plans for HSSP, they are available at http://www.hotspringsmasterplan.com

Even though the public comment period has passed, if you have concerns over the master plan for HSSP, make your feelings known by contacting Wyoming Governor Matt Mead or the state parks director. Although you may wonder if they are taking your concerns seriously, it will undoubtably have more of an impact than posting your concerns to a social media site.