Hot Springs State Park master plan released, online comment period open

The Hot Springs State Park draft master plan was released Monday. The purpose of the 20-year master plan is to guide the long-term physical improvement, management and use of the entire 1,100- acre park. The plan includes publicly and privately owned buildings, lands west of Highway 20, the bison pasture and the recreational and thermal features. It provides a comprehensive planning and decision-making structure to accommodate recreational and developmental amenities, infrastructure and access in balance with the preservation of cultural and natural resources.

The goals of the plan are to develop, historic preservation, reconstruction and demolition at HSSP -including the interior, exterior and surrounding landscape; to improve the park circulation system; to protect and maintain the natural, cultural and social resources; to manage, staff, program and fund HSSP; to interpret and educate opportunities; to maintain and develop partnerships; to promote and advertise; to address economic and community impact; to provide tourist accommodations; and to appropriate transfer, sale, lease and purchase of land.

The draft plan includes changes to the buildings, facilities and grounds of park. The plan for the state bathhouse would add one natural soaking pool, where there currently is not one.

Aquatic facilities and health and wellness changes in the draft plan include having only one outdoor pool and only one indoor pool, which means one of the already existing outdoor pools and one of the already existing indoor pools would be eliminated.

Lodging in HSSP would expand from the current 116 hotel rooms/cabins to 150 rooms in total. Two acres would be added to the park for camping, whereas there are currently zero acres designated for camping. Seasonal employee camping areas would also be expanded from 7,500 square feet to 15,000 square feet. There would also be one restroom/shower area added for seasonal employees. There is currently no restroom/shower area for seasonal employees.

The draft plan also calls for some grounds areas to be expanded. The Washakie (Kiwanis) Picnic Shelter would be expanded from 650 square feet to 1,200 square feet. There may also be an addition of a Historic Garden area, but it is still to be determined. A botanic/natural garden area would be added and will cover 15,000 square feet.

The draft plan also calls for expansion of the visitor center from 640 square feet to 5,000 square feet designated for a State Park Visitor Center with a meeting space, offices and public restrooms as well as 2,500 square feet for the Chamber of Commerce.

The addition of a discovery center could be up to 20,000 square feet, and the addition of a children's nature center could be up to 50,000 square feet.

The draft plan also discusses adding more signs to the park. Where there is now one sign for the park gateways, the plan calls for five. Thirteen park orientation kiosks and trailheads will be added also, where there are currently zero.

The Riverwalk Trail is planned to be expanded from 2,200 linear feet to 4,500 linear feet. Two bridge overlooks, one at Park Street and one on Broadway Street, are in the draft plan to be added to the park.

Nine acres of land have been designated for river edge naturalized vegetation, meaning the plan wishes to convert from mown lawn to naturalized river vegetation. The draft plan includes one aquatic facility outflow to be added to the park to stone channel edge trail, pedestrian overlook and seating.

More recreational opportunities are slated to be added to the park also, including three canoe/kayak put-in and take-out areas, where there is now one. Eight pedestrian overlook and river access areas are to be added. An archery course with 14 targets and a 9-18 hole disc golf course are also slated to be added to the park.

Park roads would be expanded from 2,950 linear feet to 3,950 linear feet. Parking spaces in the park core would expand from 719 spaces to 813 spaces and parking spaces west of the park core would expand from 112 spaces to 329 spaces. Other parking in natural areas will expand from 72 spaces to 104 spaces.

Trails in natural areas would expand from 5.4 miles to 13.4 miles with extensions to Round Top and the Bureau of Land Management. Trailheads would expand from six to 11. A pedestrian bridge over the railroad will also be added.

The fairgrounds are set to expand as well from 9 acres to 9.5 acres. Potential expansion of county recreation from 11.5 acres to 12 acres is also in the draft plan.

The Hot Springs State Park Headquarters building, according to the draft master plan, would expand from 3,500 square feet to 7,000 square feet but the park headquarters yard will shrink from 200,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet. The greenhouse would also be expanding from 450 square feet to 3,000 square feet. The East Yard Service Shop would be eliminated completely to make room for new camping uses.

Maps are on display at the Hot Springs County Library and Hot Springs State Park Headquarters. Comment cards are also available at both locations.

A Community Open House will be held Monday, May 2 from 5-7 p.m. at the fire hall to to discuss the draft master plan.

For more information, to view the plan in full or to leave public comment, visit hotspringsmasterplan.com.