Astoria Park Land Gifted by The Trust for Public Land to Astoria Park Conservancy

Today, Astoria Park Conservancy and The Trust for Public Land announced the donation of park land from The Trust for Public Land to Astoria Park Conservancy, the local non-profit whose mission is to steward Astoria in a manner that promotes broad public access, personal health, and deeper connections between people and nature. This exciting milestone brings the park closer to opening, which is planned for mid-2020. 

“Astoria Hot Springs Park will be a wonderful place for the entire Jackson community to enjoy the outdoors and the geothermal features. We’re honored to work with our partners and donors to ensure this special place is protected forever and will once again be the place where our community gathers and connects,” stated Chris Deming, The Trust for Public Land Senior Project Manager.

Astoria is a multi-phase project that began in 2012 with The Trust for Public Land’s efforts to regain public access to the hot springs and surrounding area. In 2016, The Trust for Public Land purchased the future park site and redesigned the hot springs with input from 2,000 residents.  Astoria Park Conservancy was founded in 2018 as the long-term owner of the park. Last spring, the two organizations celebrated the ground breaking of the park with hundreds of community members during the annual Jackson Hole Ski Club Karen Oatey Pole Pedal Paddle. Construction of the first phase of the hot springs began shortly thereafter, including hot soaking pools, a leisure pool, a children’s pool, gathering spaces, and a Welcome Center and snack shop. Future phases of park development will focus on the adjacent park, with continued community outreach to design park elements like a kiosk and event lawn, trails, and natural playground.

Paige Byron Curry, Astoria Park Conservancy’s Executive Director shares this: “We are sincerely grateful for the vision and leadership of our partners at The Trust for Public Land, who have given our community the most meaningful gift-a 97-acre park with two miles of Snake River frontage. Astoria will be a refuge for residents, offering wellness and educational experiences. We look forward to welcoming locals to the hot springs at Astoria later this year.” 

The Trust for Public Land’s gift of the Astoria property was made possible through significant support from hundreds of donors who supported The Campaign for Astoria Hot Springs Park and The Trust for Public Land’s “Wyoming Land Action Fund.” This generous philanthropic effort also ensures that admission to the hot springs’ facilities will be affordable and open to the public. The Trust for Public Land will continue to manage the construction of the hot springs, while Astoria Park Conservancy focuses on preparing for opening and designing community wellness and education programs. 

Astoria Park Conservancy welcomes the community to a community open house on January 17th from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. at Astoria.  The casual, drop-in event will celebrate this milestone and provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about plans for opening, community programs, and how to volunteer at Astoria.  Visit astoriapark.org to learn more and support Astoria. 

About Astoria Park Conservancy

Astoria Park Conservancy’s mission is to steward Astoria Hot Springs Park in a financially and environmentally responsible manner that promotes broad public access, personal safety, and enhanced connections between people and the environment.  Led by a group of committed local board members, Astoria Park Conservancy, is eagerly preparing for the hot springs 2020 opening and beginning plans for the park’s construction.  For more information about Astoria Park Conservancy and a live-web camera showing construction progress visit www.astoriapark.org.

About The Trust for Public Land

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live near a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. For more information about The Trust for Public Land and to share why nature matters to you, visit www.tpl.org.

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