Group formed to support HSSP

Friends of Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock was launched on July 4. President of Friends of Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock Barb Vietti said this is a group that started several years ago and it has taken time to get it up and running.

Prior to the formation of the group, contributions made to Legend Rock or Hot Springs State Park were deposited into the general fund of the State of Wyoming. The formation of the group is an effort to keep those funds local, to benefit Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock directly with various projects.

“What we found was many of the donations that were given to Legend Rock and Hot Springs State Park prior to this group were not staying here for the use of our state park or Legend Rock,” Vietti said. “They were going to Cheyenne. One of the reasons now is that any donation that comes to the Friends group stays here in Hot Springs County. We are fundraising for Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock. We want to help out the personnel at both Legend Rock and Hot Springs State Park.”

Vietti said they wanted donations to stay here and this is the way they can guarantee they do.

“It’s going to be a way to get people involved, not just through the money end of it,” she said. “We are going to send out newsletters to inform members about the activities going on in the park and at Legend Rock. We may also include ways that people will be able to help the personnel of Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock.”

Vietti said the group is a way people can help out the state park and Legend Rock.

“If I want to go over there and pick up trash, I can do that,” she said. “I do that already, but if there’s some way we can monetarily help, that’s what we’re hoping to do. If they need a bench or they need some signs, we can get them. We don’t have to go through Cheyenne and find some place in their budget. This way we will be able to monetarily help.”

The group wants to get people involved, Vietti said.

“There are a lot of people who go over there [to the state park] and walk and they see things,” she said. “If they know something’s happening this weekend, they can help out.”

Vietti said this group is a way to keep funds local.

“This is a group that is local, but we welcome anyone into it,” she said. “We do want people from all over the U.S. to become a part. Then they will be able to find out what’s happening in the park and how they can help. And if they’re here for a visit, find out what’s happening in the park that weekend.”

Promoting and supporting the recreational, historic, cultural, educational, scientific and literary programs and projects in and around Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock is the purpose of the Friends group.

As a membership sponsored organization, the objective is to broaden the base of supporters to advocate for both Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock, to create and maintain areas of the park for the enjoyment of all and to provide a stronger link between the surrounding communities.

The Friends of the Hot Springs State Park and Legend Rock Board of Directors are Barb Vietti, Barb Heinze, Michael Wright, Scott Shoop and Meri Ann Rush.

Interested individuals who wish to become a member or make a donation can stop by the Chamber Office or the State Bath House. For more information, contact the chamber at 864-3192.

Charter membership dues available from July 4 to Dec. 31 are $17.50 for a single, $30 for a family, $50 for a business and $12.50 for a senior. Annual membership dues, which will renew every January, are $35 for a single, $60 for a family, $100 for a business and $25 for a senior.