Park County commissioners hear Fairgrounds and Parks work session on staffing, ADA upgrades and potential RV campground

Park County commissioners met April 7 in Commissioners Chambers for a Fairgrounds and Parks work session in which the department administrator summarized operations, capital projects, staffing gaps and options to formalize an RV campground to increase revenue.

The presentation, given by Morgan, Fairgrounds and Parks administrator, reviewed the department's history and facilities, noting the Fairgrounds and Parks Department was created in 2018 when the county merged a standalone fairgrounds department and a parks department. Morgan said a master plan developed by a commission-appointed committee was formally adopted in 2020 and remains the framework for facility and infrastructure priorities.

Morgan told the commission the fairgrounds sit on about 14.5 acres, operate year-round and include three all-season buildings, 36 RV spots with electricity (rented only during events because the site is not a licensed campground), 39 horse stalls and multiple arena and livestock facilities. The department also oversees three county parks (Arch Park, Confluence Park and Silver Gate Park) and is involved with trail projects such as the Highway 89 trail and the Yellowstone Heritage Trail partnership led by Kristen Galbraith with Trust for Public Land.

Why it matters: the fairgrounds are used for community events, emergency staging and public services such as mass immunizations and sandbag distribution. Morgan said deferred maintenance on many buildings (some nearly 100 years old) and limited staffing constrain the department's ability to maintain and expand services.

Key figures and operational trends Morgan provided include about 212 events per year (roughly 289…