Here’s a look at Star Valley Ranch happenings the week of July 16th:
Monday, July 17th was the first day of Firewise pick-up within the Town of Star Valley Ranch (TSVR). Pick-ups continued through the week and were completed on Thursday, July 20th. TSVR was the first incorporated town in the state of Wyoming to receive Firewise community status. As TSVR lies within a wildland-urban-interface (WUI) (where residential and recreational development are adjacent to forest lands that have not naturally burned for decades) there is medium to high potential for catastrophic wildland fire loss. Maintaining Firewise community certification is an important tool to assist TSVR residents in mitigating that risk.
Tuesday, July 18th at 6pm, the Star Valley Ranch Association (SVRA) held their Board of Directors Workshop at Cedar Creek Center. Topics included brief discussion of repairs and upgrades to the Green Canyon pipeline that supplies water to SVRA golf courses, possible expansion of pickleball courts near the airstrip which would require coordination with TSVR for water access, removal of the A-Frame structure at Aspen Hills Golf Course and what to do with the resulting empty space, as well as concern about aspen tree canker that is prevalent in some areas of the Ranch and the need to educate residents on how to treat it.
Wednesday, July 19th, was a special day at TSVR with the arrival and “push-in” of the Thayne & Rural Volunteer Fire Department/Mid-Valley Fire District’s new firetruck to be housed at the Ranch’s First Response Center on Vista Drive. Push-in ceremonies are a long-held tradition and date back to the days of horse-drawn fire-equipment when members had to push the equipment into the bay. Beginning in the 1800s, after crews returned from a call on horse-drawn equipment, the animals were unable to back into the station, requiring members to detach the horses and push the equipment into the bay. Over time, with the invention and adoption of motorized apparatus, the need to manually move equipment was eliminated. This Class-A pumper-truck has 4-wheel drive and a 2,000 gallon water-tank capacity making it a welcome addition to emergency response at Star Valley Ranch. Read more at the Star Valley Independent.
On Thursday, July 20th, at 2pm the TSVR Natural Resources Board (NRB) met at Star Valley Ranch Town Hall. Of note from this NRB meeting: the Prater Canyon Trailhead is now officially complete (a dedication of the trailhead is being worked for next month), vandalism at the Spruce Grove on Cedar Creek Trail continues to be a problem (the Forest Service is actively engaged on this issue), the TSVR Trail Crew continues to take care of emptying Mutt-Mitt cans at trailheads, and there will not be an NRB meeting in August due to the Garage Sale for Trails & Parks. NRB meeting minutes can be found on the TSVR website by clicking here. [Note that at the time of this news post the TSVR NRB page is not updated with the latest minutes.]
Also on Thursday, July 20th at 7pm the SVRA conducted their monthly Board of Director’s (BoD) meeting at Cedar Creek Center. Some items of interest from the meeting: there will no longer be a charge for SVRA membership cards, golf rounds and greens fees are up 24% and 25% respectively when compared to July of 2022, and the Aspen Hills tennis courts will be resurfaced as pickleball courts starting on August 3rd. You can find all SVRA BoD meeting minutes here.
On Saturday, July 22nd, TSVR hosted its second Farmers Market event from 8am to 11am across from Town Hall next to the First Response Center. Thirteen vendors set-up-shop to offer baked goods, local meats to include beef and yak, coffees, kettle-corn, fruit and even a smidgen of green produce! Health, home and wellness product vendors and Lucky’s Place also participated. Turn-out by residents and other patrons was once again outstanding! The Farmers Market will continue with an ever-increasing selection of products every Saturday until Labor Day with the exception of Saturday, August 19th when there will not be a market due to a previously scheduled event. Here are a few photos to peak your interest for next weekend!
A final note for this week:
With Firewise pick-up requiring all-hands on deck by the TSRV Public Works crews, works will resume on repair of Cedar Drive next week. Cedar Drive remains closed as of the posting of this news update
Earlier in the month with the new budget year, TSVR contracted with a company to provide Short-Term Rental Monitoring and Host Compliance. Initial set-up of this service is underway and we’ll keep you updated once the service comes fully online.
Lastly, here some of next week’s upcoming Star Valley Ranch events :
Wednesday July 26th at 5pm the TSVR Planning & Zoning Board will meet at Town Hall.
Saturday, July 29th from 8am-11am the TSVR Farmers Market will be held across from Town Hall at the First Response Center on Vista Drive.