Warm Springs Preserve

More than a ‘dog park’ – the Warm Springs Preserve forever belongs to the community that ensured its protection.

Warm Springs Preserve

Thanks to overwhelming community support, the City of Ketchum purchased the beloved Warm Springs Preserve – 65 acres of open space for the community to enjoy in perpetuity.

Over 950 donors contributed to the endeavor, with individual gifts ranging from $7 to over $1 million. In sum, more than $9 million was raised. In April 2022, the city paid $8 million to purchase the property and put another $1 million in reserve for repairs to the desperately outdated irrigation system.

During 2022 and early 2023, the City of Ketchum conducted a Master Plan process. With 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 that plan.

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

Charitable gifts will provide for several improvements at the Preserve, including creek restoration, restrooms, an ADA-accessible trail, and re-vegetation with native plants. These tax-deductible donations will be restricted funds for the Warm Springs Preserve Fund.

If you would like to make a gift directly to the Wood River Land Trust to support the restoration aspects of the project, please click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us at warmspringspreserve@ketchumidaho.org 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.

Support the Preserve!

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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