JACKSON, Wyo. — Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (JHMR) President, Mary Kate Buckley sent a letter to pass holders on Oct. 11, laying out JHMR’s vision for development at Stilson.
Two open house events to discuss Stilson development, hosted by JHMR and Teton County, are scheduled for Nov. 6 at 5 p.m. at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole and Nov. 7, at the Wilson Elementary School at 5 p.m.
“The amenities under consideration include employee housing, wildlife migration corridors, recreational ball fields, a day-care center and playground, additional parking spaces and more,” Buckley said in the email sent to pass holders.
The Kemmerer family, who owned JHMR, bought the Stilson property back in 1999 to create more parking, and at the time, it was 99 acres and included the Stilson Ranch subdivision. The Kemmerers retained 43 acres and later donated 8.5 acres to the county to develop Stilson, “as unlit recreational ball and soccer fields to benefit the community.” They also donated 5.4 acres to Teton County for a new transit center, funded by the BUILD Grant.
During a recent Town and County Joint Information Meeting, Teton County/Jackson Parks and Recreation Director Steve Ashworth presented two locations for future ballfields in the county, one being Stilson. Elected officials opted to continue the item to their next Joint Information Meeting but public comment was taken on the item. Wildlife advocates spoke out against ballfield development at Stilson, citing that developing the parcel contradicts the new wildlife crossings and would negatively impact wildlife in the area.
“Wouldn’t it be a shame if we spent millions of dollars putting two underpasses and impenetrable fencing at the intersection of [WY] 390 and [WY] 22 and then we crammed so much development and human activity at Stilson, that the animals don’t use them,” said Kevin Krasnow, conservation director at Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance, during the meeting.
Buckley noted in the letter that “with BUILD Grant projects underway, we are now focused on developing Stilson to take advantage of its central location and functioning transit center.”
“The public/semipublic zoning of this parcel allows for outdoor recreation, a day care center, offices and other types of cohesive development when approved through the conditional use process,” Buckley said.
JHMR’s proposed developments include:
- Employee housing at the Stilson site
- A daycare center and playground with priority given to residents who use public transit or carpool at Stilson Park.
- A bike rental shop is also being considered to accommodate transit riders who may ride the bus as far as Stilson and then rent a bike for the remaining leg of their trip.
