Rotary Club plans Crown Jewel at foot of mountain

From new observation decks, hikers this summer will be able to take in sweeping views atop Casper Mountain's Garden Creek Falls and over the city.

Plans are underway to build two treated-lumber decks among other trail improvements at Rotary Park this year, Bill Schilling of the Casper Rotary Club told Natrona County Commissioners last week. The project is part of a long-term master plan in development.

The big picture is this is an opportunity to have a jewel of a park for this county and community, Schilling said.

This years plans include finishing an 800-yard-long trail along the east side of Garden Creek and adding handrails to help trekkers over a steep incline en route to gentler terrain, Schilling told the commissioners during their work session last week.

Once there, theyll be able to take a breather at benches to be installed at a flat area above the falls and at the two planned observation decks along the Bridle Trail. They can look north over and beyond the city and west toward the waterfall from both a midway and an upper deck, according to the plans.

Plans also include about a dozen new signs to guide Bridle Trail hikers and at least one kiosk offering brochures with maps and tips, Schilling said. The club also plans to place boulders to secure areas of sliding rock along the west side of the creek, he added.

The club plans to complete this year's renovations with a $70,000 budget, Schilling said.

Those improvements are part of a master plan that calls for eventually adding about 100 to 150 more parking spaces at what are now two sagebrush areas, Schilling said. That project wont begin before next year.

The club plans to request an estimated $400,000 from the county to help pay for parking projects over a three-year period, Schilling said.

Members of the commission agreed the grounds need more parking because visitors already often leave in frustration over lack of spaces, they said during the meeting. There are about 50 spaces now, Schilling said.

Link:
Rotary Club plans Crown Jewel at foot of mountain