Final Public Open House To Be Held February 13th
By HAYDEN SEDER
Community members will have their final opportunity for public input on the future plans of the Warm Springs Preserve, also known locally as the Dog Park, at the final Warm Springs Preserve Open House, held at Ketchum City Hall on Monday, February 13 from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. and 4:30–6 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to provide comments on detailed conceptual plans, including landscaping ideas and river restoration at Warm Springs Preserve.
After acquisition of the Warm Springs Preserve in April of 2022, the City of Ketchum began the master planning process, which would maintain current uses of the park while prioritizing new developments that would ensure all-season, multi-functional use; restore and maintain a healthy ecosystem; provide accessible access for all users; and more for the 65 acres of open space.
Two open comment periods took place in September and November of 2022. Each of these began with an online survey sent to community members, followed by a public open house at City Hall, and ending with a joint council P&Z meeting. The surveys presented some of the proposed changes to the Preserve with a five-point scale from “not quite” to “spot on!”
Some of the proposed changes to the Preserve include paving the parking lot and adding handicap-accessible spaces; building a small structure to house two year-round toilets, storage, water fountains, trash receptacles, a donor recognition wall, trail map, bike racks, and sheltered seating; restoration to the creek to enhance hydrologic and ecological health, including improving fish habitat; expanding the lower creek edge and enhancing the floodplain, which will reduce the flood risk to homes adjacent to the creek; replanting part of the Preserve referred to as the “middle terrace” with native grasses and meadow plants, which will not be irrigated; upgraded irrigation system; and the addition of benches and picnic tables.
Survey results from the November comment period indicate that the majority of the 50 people surveyed felt the concept design was on the right track. Some of the comments from participants included whether the disc golf course will be maintained, concern for the possible introduction of bikes to the Preserve, keeping dogs from the creek due to adverse environmental impact, the need for more parking, and requests for official entrance from the Norwegian Woods area.
The biggest takeaways thus far from survey results are protecting the existing ecosystem, improving access points, adding ADA accessibility and handicap features, adding flush toilets and bike racks, prioritizing Nordic skiing in the winter, the impact on homeowners along the Preserve, dog-and-wildlife interface management, dog-waste management, expanding parking and paving of the lot, and support for creek restoration efforts.
The feedback provided by the public in these open comment periods is shared with City Council, the Warm Springs Preserve design team, Planning & Zoning, and also posted on the project’s website. According to Aly Swindley, management and communications analyst for the City of Ketchum, these comments, along with direction from City Council and P&Z as well as recommendations by professionals involved in the project, such as the design team, are all used in tandem to decide which ideas to move forward with in the proposals. Ultimately, the final vote for proposed changes to the Preserve is conducted by City Council.
“Public input is essential to the success of the master planning process for the Warm Springs Preserve,” said Mayor Neil Bradshaw. “The Preserve was purchased through the generosity of this community. Our obligation is to ensure that the master plan accurately reflects the values we hold dear as a community.”
After the final comment period in February, the city will submit for final permit approval to the Idaho Department of Water Resources. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 after months of permitting, design, and construction planning.