Trustees adopt revised Natrona County parks rules, clarifying camping, firearms and equine use

The Natrona County Board of Trustees voted to adopt a revised set of parks rules after a public hearing that included public concerns about staffing and enforcement.

Parks Director Michael Brown summarized the changes before the trustees voted, saying, “the reserve site shall only be allowed 1 camping unit as defined below unless specifically designated otherwise,” language intended to give staff flexibility to reconfigure larger preservation sites into multi-unit reservation sites. Brown also described added and reorganized definitions (including golf carts, multipurpose vehicles, off-road recreational vehicles and “peace officer”), clarified seasonal-closure and winter-month definitions, and adjusted camping permit expiration times from 11 a.m. to noon.

Why it matters: The updates change how sites are reserved and used, align some provisions with state law, and spell out where equine use is allowed — changes that affect campers, trail users and enforcement by county staff and law enforcement.

Key provisions - Reservation/campsite limits: Reservation sites are restricted to one camping unit unless specific sites are designated to allow multiple units; the county will review and update online listings and signage to reflect any reconfigured sites. - Definitions and authority: New or revised definitions were added for several vehicle types and for “peace officer.” Section 6 revises enforcement language to require a “duly qualified peace officer” to have authority to enforce the rules. - Firearms/projectiles: Section 17 was changed from prohibiting possession to prohibiting discharge of firearms or other projectile devices “unless in full compliance with Wyoming state law and these rules and regulations.” - Equine use: The rules now state that equines may be used for riding and swimming except at specified areas including Sandy Beach, Little Beach, Crimson Dawn Park, Archer Range and Hell’s Half Acre. - Sanitation and special areas: Minor clarifications were made to sanitation language and several “special area” listings (Casper Mountain, Rotary Park, Crimson Dawn Park, Biathlon Range, Alcoa area and others) were reorganized and clarified. - Abandoned property and penalties: The rules reference an abandoned property/vehicle section; trustees noted that enforcement of abandoned vehicles relies on statutory authority and coordination with the sheriff’s office and on the penalty clause in Section 29 of the adopted rules.

Public comment and trustee concerns Resident Sheila Drollharz raised a staffing and enforcement concern: “I just don't see this camping reservation system being, it's just not working because they don't have a staff to manage it.” Drollharz also asked whether campers or trailers left unattended will be cited; trustees and staff pointed to the adopted rules’ abandoned-vehicle provisions and the penalty clauses in Section 29, and said the sheriff’s office must enforce some items.

Trustee discussion touched on staffing and resources to administer the revised rules; several trustees said the board would work with parks staff on staffing and reservation-system improvements.

Outcome A motion to approve the parks rules was made and seconded; the trustees voted in favor and the revised rules were adopted.

Ending Trustees closed the parks-rules portion of the hearing before moving on to a separate public hearing on fee changes.