Hot Springs State Park 20 year master plan released

After much anticipation, the master plan for Hot Springs State Park was unveiled last Thursday by State Parks and Cultural Resources Director Darin Westby. The gathering was held at the Wyoming Dinosaur Center with a standing room only crowd.

The master plan provides a 20-year strategy for physical improvements and management of the 1,100-acre park as well as providing a framework for those improvements based on need and available funding.

A study of the park and its facilities has shown it is not keeping pace with contemporary outdoor trends, recreational trends or the changing demographics of today's travelers.

Most significant is the change to the mineral waters coming from the Big Spring, which are diminishing from their historic flows, requiring a review of resource management.

Keeping historical elements

Hot Springs State Park was formally established in 1929, and to build on that historic legacy, the park will conserve its core resource – the mineral waters.

In addition, key historical features will be restored and the park's ecological zones will be protected.

Improvements will be made to the buffalo pasture, buildings and facilities to ensure visitors the highest quality experience.

Known archeological elements will be protected and studies will be conducted to identify as yet unknown elements, too. Archeological investigations will be done before any earthwork for upcoming operations or developments begin.

At one time, two stately hotels flanked the entrance to the park, and the state would like to see that return.

The biggest eyesore for most locals has been the entrance to the park.

The park entrance will be reconstructed with a new intersection at Highway 20 and Park Street. Road improvements and a new streetscape will enhance the the entrance road through the railroad underpass.

The Plaza will remain with its historic rooms, however, some major changes are being asked for with regards to the Days Inn. Updates of not only the rooms, but of the exterior, including a change in where visitors drive in to register, are being suggested, with a river-side entrance.

The large green space of the park will be rehabilitated with a few roads modified to provide more direct access to aquatic features and the park's natural areas. Paths and shade trees will be added to create a green oasis for visitors with emphasis on bringing back the historic gardens throughout the area.

The Kiwanis shelter will be redeveloped as a new lounge-like picnic shelter with seating, Wi-Fi and other amenities.

The outdated restrooms near the Tepee Fountain will be removed.

The Pavilion will be getting a facelift, too, which will include a shade structure over the seating area, making concerts and other events more intimate and enjoyable during the summer months.

The home on the corner used by the superintendent and his family for years will be repurposed into a multi-use building that will be available for rental for family reunions and the like. The fence will be removed and the lawn incorporated into the larger lawn in front of the Pioneer Home. A playground to the south of the home is a possibility as well.

At the Big Spring there are plans to repair the shelter, perhaps removing the roof and overlook from it. The stone pedestrian area and the bridge over the spring water will be repaired, too.

Another historic site, White Sulphur Springs, will be rehabilitated as well, including repairing of the stone walls and stairs.

New additions

While historic elements are rehabilitated, new elements will be designed to be compatible with that historic feel.

A "lodging zone" will reestablish the historic park entrance with front facades facing the Bighorn River, Park Street and the park's core green area.

The Plaza Hotel will remain as the historic anchor on the north, but to the south one or more concessionaire-operated facilities will provide options for visitors that may include camping, or for the more adventurous, yurts or stylized platform tents for "glamping".

The west side of the river will include camping for both tents and recreational vehicles.

A new visitor facility will be located at the intersection of Highway 20 and Park Street, will incorporate the State Park Visitor Center, Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Learning Foundation Discovery Center.

The visitor center will go from 640 square feet to 5,000 square feet with meeting spaces, offices and public restrooms, plus a 2,500 square foot Chamber of Commerce. The Nature and Discovery Center will take up 20,000 square feet with an additional 50,000 square foot Children's Nature Center.

Near the Armory, there will be a seasonal employee camping area amounting to 15,000 square feet.

There will be a number of other new or enhanced areas including a 15,000 square foot botanic-natural garden area, nine acres of naturalized river edge, two new canoe or kayak put-in and take-out areas, eight pedestrian overlooks and river access areas for shore fishing and a 9-18 hole disc golf course and 14 archery targets.

The greenhouse used by the park to start their flowers each year will go from 450 square feet to 3,000 square feet.

Concessionaire opportunities will expand as well with a chance for recreation equipment rentals, guided tours or shuttles. The state hopes to partner with Thermopolis to establish bike share locations both in town and in the park.

Eight miles of natural surface trails will be added, offering more hiking and biking experiences.

Aquatics expansion

Studies have shown the flow of the Big Spring is declining. As a matter of fact, over the last 49 years it has reduced by two-thirds with no definitive reason why.

With that in mind, the state has determined there must be a more balanced management approach to the water and its use, with health and wellness uses a top priority.

Ensuring the waters flow over the Rainbow Terraces and supply the State Bath House will protect not only the cultural significance of the terraces, but keep the treaty between the State and the Natives that a portion of the waters will always remain free for public use.

Today, some concessionaire properties are in disrepair due to age and condition of facilities and utilities.

Two concession facilities, the TePee Pool and Plaza Hotel, have long-term leases in place. Institutional uses like the school district, Gottsche, hospital and Pioneer Home will remain in their current locations.

The state plans a central aquatics zone to meet the growing therapeutic and recreational needs of visitors as well as providing a more cohesive, year-round experience where facilities compliment each other rather than compete with one another.

The planned aquatics area will be expansive, with wading pools, spa-oriented facilities and play elements. Areas will be set aside for soaking and wading, including zero entry areas for handicapped access. There may be beach-like pools and terrace pools as well.

Decks and walkways would connect pools and utilize a geothermal snow melt system to enhance the wintertime experience.

Other items being considered are a lazy river with views of surrounding mountains and other natural elements determining where it could be placed, a splash or spray park, either indoor or outdoor, and a possible climbing wall in conjunction with the deep outdoor pool may be considered.

Project funding

Estimated costs for the 20-year plan are well over $25 million dollars, but there are options for funding the projects, including legislative appropriations.

This amount does not include costs that will be borne by concessionaires for improvements to their facilities.

State and Federal grant funding and Federal Highway Administration Recreation Trails Program monies could be available along with special reserve account and major maintenance account monies.

A short break down of costs include $1.3 million for water improvements, $4.5 million for buildings, facilities and grounds, $5.7 million for visitor orientation and park entry, including signage, $2.5 million for work on the river edges, $1.6 million for recreational activities, $5.7 million for roads, trails and pedestrian areas and $1.2 million for maintenance and operations.

The above list is by no means all-inclusive.

According to the plan, "Existing relationships will be improved, and new partnerships developed to address the needs of the state park and to benefit the community. Management and oversight of leases and agreements at the state park level will continue to be improved. Collaborations with private, local, regional, and academic entities will be expanded.

Concessionaires and the State will work collaboratively and cooperatively to provide new, unique amenities or to repair, upgrade, and retain existing amenities sensitive to the natural, historical, and cultural resources of the state park and surrounding area."