JACKSON, Wyo. — Astoria Park Conservancy officially owns the land that is about to become the Astoria Park.

Astoria Park Conservancy announced yesterday that the Trust for Public Land donated the land to Astoria Park Conservancy, the local nonprofit whose mission is to steward Astoria in a manner that promotes broad public access, personal health, and deeper connections between people and nature.

The milestone brings the park one step closer to opening. Astoria is aiming for a mid-2020 opening.

“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,” said Chris Deming, Senior Project Manager for the Trust for Public Land.

You may remember that Astoria began as a Trust for Public Land project in 2012. TPL spearheaded the effort 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 then founded in 2018 as the long-term owner of the park. Last spring, the two organizations celebrated the groundbreaking 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 began shortly thereafter. Phase one will include 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.

“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,” said Astoria Park Conservancy’s Executive Director Paige Byron Curry. “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 17 from 4 – 6 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.