MAMMOTH HOT
SPRINGS, Wyo. – Yellowstone National Park has initiated a major,
multimillion-dollar housing improvement effort that will
substantially upgrade National Park Service employee housing across the
park.
The effort
focuses on four goals:
1) Replace
64 outdated trailers with high-quality modular cabins. Yellowstone
currently has 64 trailers, built between 1960-1983, that house 80-100 employees
annually. The condition of each trailer is extremely substandard and immediate
replacement is necessary. In 2020, the park will replace about 35 trailers at
Old Faithful, Lake Village, Mammoth Hot Springs and Bechler with high-quality
modular cabins. In 2021, the remaining trailers will be replaced. All
replacements will be in existing developed areas.
2) Improve the condition of 150 non-trailer and non-historic housing units. Yellowstone is investing millions to upgrade dilapidated employee housing units between 2020 and 2023. Many of these units have not had improvements in decades. Planned improvements range from roofing and siding replacements, to major interior work including new flooring, better insulation and improved heating systems. Over 50 improvement projects are scheduled for 2020.
3)
Rehabilitate deteriorating historic homes. The park intends to improve the
condition of a wide range of historic housing structures, many that date back
to the late 1800s in Fort Yellowstone, a National Historic Landmark, and
in other areas of the park. The park is in the process of conducting necessary
condition assessments, historic structure reports, and consultations to
determine the funding needed and prioritization and execution timelines of this
goal.
4) Add new
housing capacity. The lack of available housing in surrounding communities
is substantially impacting workforce recruitment. Additionally, park visitation
has increased 45 percent since 2000 and requires more staffing to manage park
operations. For these reasons, the park is assessing the number of additional
housing units that may be needed. New housing units would only be placed in
existing developed areas.
About 50
percent of Yellowstone’s 800 employees live in park housing, many in highly
remote areas.
Over the next 24 months, the park will spend tens of millions of dollars to demolish and replace trailers with high-quality modular cabins, upgrade aging utility lines, perform site improvements including landscaping, and invest in other housing improvement projects.
“Our ability to attract and retain talent in Yellowstone is strongly tied to the availability and affordability of housing options in and around the park,” said Superintendent Cam Sholly. “Thanks to the support of Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt and the National Park Service, we now have the funding and support needed to help us begin addressing one of the biggest issues facing Yellowstone’s workforce. The goals we have outlined in Yellowstone’s housing improvement strategy work not only to replace trailers … but also to improve the condition of historic and other housing assets, while also looking for better ways to respond to the changing real estate markets in our gateway communities, which have limited private housing options for our employees.”
All projects will proceed in conformance with requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and any consultation that is necessary. Future public engagement will occur as planning and actions develop specific to the goals.
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
July 22 (Monday) 6:00 pm - September 30 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description
Event Details
Hike Big Sky is a FREE guided hike for our community and visitors alike. A different trail will be featured each Monday at 9 a.m. Visit BSCO.org for trail description information. Please wear layers, bring water and snacks. Bear spray recommended.
Time
July 29 (Monday) 9:00 am - September 30 (Monday) 12:00 pm
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by
Event Details
Bike Big Sky is a FREE community mountain biking group with BSCO and Gallatin Alpine Sports. Meet at posted locations at 6 p.m. Monday evenings. Visit BSCO.org or swing by GAS for ride information.
Time
July 29 (Monday) 6:00 pm - October 7 (Monday) 6:00 pm
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be
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Event Details
Join Santosha, BASE and Gourmet Gals to bring you a donation based all levels community yoga lunch break class every Wednesday throughout the summer. It will be taught by a variety of teachers from Santosha and BASE. This summer all proceeds will go to Big Sky Band-Aid, aside from the first one on the 26th that is happening during Pride week- all funds donated for that class will go to Big Sky OUT. A delicious lunch will also be served by Gourmet Gals following our practice each Wednesday (included in donation). You are welcome to donate with cash at the event or you can Venmo @Santoshabigsky and make a note for Community Yoga. Hope to see you in the Park!
Time
July 31 (Wednesday) 12:00 pm - September 30 (Monday) 1:00 pm