Warm Springs Preserve

Open houses

Restoration and improvements are slated to begin this year at Warm Springs Preserve. The City of Ketchum and Wood River Land Trust will present two open houses at the Preserve on May 14 to share construction details, including timing, access, and what improvements are being completed.

Wednesday, May 14
Warm Springs Preserve (main entrance to the fairway)
12 PM and 5:30 PM

It is a rare opportunity to realize a community’s vision for a unique property.

Thanks to overwhelming community support, the City of Ketchum now owns 65 acres of open space for the community to enjoy in perpetuity.

After extensive community input, the Ketchum City Council approved the Warm Springs Master Plan in April 2023. Now, in partnership with the Wood River Land Trust, additional funds need to be raised to implement the plan.

Charitable gifts will provide for several improvements at the Preserve, including creek restoration, re-vegetation with native plants, ADA-accessible trails, and restrooms. Your tax-deductible donation will be restricted to the Warm Springs Preserve Fund.

Please click here (or on the ‘Donate to the Wood River Land Trust’ button) to make a donation toward their efforts to restore Warm Springs Creek.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us at [email protected] to explore other options.

Bob Brennan, the past owner/seller of the property, was instrumental in helping preserve this iconic space. Without his offered option, endless support and incredible generosity, the purchase would not have been possible.

Following in Bob’s footsteps, the community overwhelmingly participated in the city’s fundraising campaign – the purchase was 100% funded by individual donors and businesses, with donations ranging from single digits to multiple zeros. And without the help of the Warm Springs Preserve Committee, those donors might not have been aware of such a special opportunity. Committee members include David Barenborg, Kimberly Barenborg, Neil Bradshaw, Bob Burkheimer, Paul Danielsen, Susan Flynt, Connie Hoffman, Ali Long, Michael Mars, Susan McGuigan, Nick Miller, Sally Onetto, Chiyo Parten and Kathy Wygle.

The city retained a professional design team with experience in similar master planning efforts to complete the project. After months of design time and extensive community input, the plan was adopted by Ketchum City Council on April 3, 2023. Click here to learn more!

We are compiling estimates for annual operating costs based on the existing property, projections for annual operating expenses based on improvements, and itemized estimates for the improvement projects under consideration

Checks shall be made payable to “City of Ketchum” with “Warm Springs Preserve Fund” noted in the memo field. Checks may be dropped off at City Hall (191 5^th Street West) or mailed to PO Box 2315, Ketchum, ID 83340. Donations may also be made online at right!

The City of Ketchum is an incorporated municipality of the State of Idaho. Donors may deduct contributions as provided in IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions of the U.S. Tax Code. Since donations will be restricted for the Warm Springs Preserve and used for public purposes, such gifts are considered to be serving a charitable purpose.

Construction Timeline

May 19 Through Late Summer 2025

Closures

Northernmost portions of the Preserve (meadow, lower meadow, floodplain, wetlands, and creek access).

Work

Dirt works and regrading
Bridge and culverts
Floodplain and wetland restoration
Instream habitats and riffles
Irrigation
Utilities
Trails

Open Access

Southernmost portions of the Preserve (upper fairway, back fairway, southern floodplain, and the woods).

Notes

Vehicle access and parking will remain open as normal throughout most of the work. Two weeks of bridge work in July will require that vehicles park in spaces adjacent to the property during this period.

Late Sumer Through Fall 2025

Closures

Northernmost portions of the Preserve
Partial closures in the upper and back fairways of the Preserve

Work

Floodplain and wetland restoration
Irrigation
Trails
Benches, tables, and signs
Road/parking paving
Welcome/maintenance building and restrooms (pending funding)

Open Access

Portions of the upper and back fairways, southern floodplain, and the woods

Spring 2026

Closures

Limited and confined to specific areas

Work

Any remaining unfinished items

2024 WSP Annual Report

Support the Preserve!

The Bureau of Reclamation grant is just one example of what your support makes possible – leveraging your gifts for amazing impact for our community!

Your tax deductible donations will go directly to the Warm Springs Preserve Fund and used for future enhancements.

Donate via E-Check

Donate via Credit Card

Donate to the Wood River Land Trust

Checks made to the ‘City of Ketchum’ with ‘Warm Springs Preserve Fund’ in the memo should be mailed to PO Box 2315 in Ketchum, ID 83340.
Donors of $1K or more will be recognized on the donor wall.
Questions?

Learn more about the Preserve HERE!

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