DOOR COUNTY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The state is seeking feedback on a plan to build a 100-seat amphitheater at Newport State Park, designed to bolster the park’s ‘dark sky’ designation.
The park received its “day sky” designation in 2017, noting the ability to observe the stars with minimal light pollution.
According to the proposed change for the park’s master plan, the development would be placed in the “day use” area near one the east side of the park, along Newport Bay.
“As the only certified Dark Sky Park in the state, Newport State Park offers unique recreation and education opportunities for the public. With unobstructed views of the horizon and basic amenities, the day use area near Parking Lot 3 is the most popular site for night-sky viewing in the park. An active community of night-sky viewing enthusiasts frequent the site and it is a destination that attracts casual stargazers and professional astronomers. Park users bring and set up their own telescopes and the department also has several of its own telescopes that are used in educational programming and events at the site,” the plan states. “Working with local partners, the department has identified the improvements detailed above that, if developed, would support these unique opportunities, as well as enhance recreational use of the site and surroundings.”
The project would be funded by “local partners,” but the plan does not identify those partners or the cost.
The plan identifies these goals:
- Develop an amphitheater with seating for up to 100 attendees that is suitable for programming and use related to night-sky viewing, as well as other interpretive programming and special events.
- Construct a storage shed suitable for the storage of park equipment, such as tracked wheelchair(s) and telescopes.
- Develop universally accessible paths connecting new and existing facilities within the day use area, using paved, gravel or boardwalk surfacing. At a suitable location along the path include an observation platform overlooking the lake.
- Install measures to block light intrusion from the parking lot into the day use area, such as a low wall made of stone.
- Add electrical service (preferably solar) to the storage shed for use in park operations.
The public can offer comments by Nov. 25. To comment, email ReneJ.Buys@wisconsin.gov or write:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O René Buys, DNR Property Planner
101 S. Webster St.
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
A timetable for a decision and possible construction was not immediately available.
