Comments sought on HSSP Master Plan

The Hot Springs State Park seeks input regarding their 20-year master plan which will be released April 18.

Director of the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources Milward Simpson said this is a really exciting master plan that needs public input.

“It is crucially important that the community feels like they have some input on the park,” he said. “In a sense, they are part owners of the park for helping to envision its future.”

Simpson said he would love to see great input from passionate community leaders and residents.

“The master plan for the state park plays a major role in the future of Hot Springs County, both economically and recreationally,” he said.

Simpson said there will be an open house for public input on the master plan at 2 p.m. Monday, May 2 at the Fire Hall in Thermopolis.

“There will be a 45 day public comment time period, in which we hope to receive feedback that will help us make some decisions on the master plan,” Simpson said. “The public comment period will end June 2. We just really want the people in the community to be involved in this process.”

The Hot Springs State Park Master Plan is a 20-year plan to guide the long-term physical improvement of the park, the management and use of the entire 1,100-acre park.

This plan includes public and privately owned buildings, lands west of Highway 20, the bison pasture and the thermal and recreational features. It will provide a comprehensive planning and decision-making structure to accommodate the development of recreational access, amenities and infrastructures in balance with the preservation of cultural and natural resources.

The final draft of the master plan and the plan narrative is under development until all public comment ends.

Simpson said there will be several events throughout the state to discuss the master plan and receive public input.

On Monday, the plan will be available for viewing online at http://www.hotspringsmasterplan.com. Hard copies will be available at Hot Springs State Park Headquarters, Hot Springs County Library and Fremont County Library in Riverton.

The planning for the HSSP Master Plan is a collaborative process involving the Wyoming Division of State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails and park staff, a steering committee representing a broad range of interests and public input.