A Special Announcement sent via email and newsletter to friends of Newport.
(Edited Nov 21, 2024 to include extension of comment period by DNR.)
NWS members and friends:
Over the past year, the NWS Board of Directors has been developing a plan to enhance the dark sky viewing experience for visitors to Newport.
As you know, Newport received Dark Sky Park recognition in 2017. We are Wisconsin’s only Dark Sky Park. Park staff, visiting astronomers, and friends of NWS provide education and night sky viewing opportunities for hundreds of participants every year. Most of our dark sky programming/viewing occurs near the picnic shelter on the grassy day-use area adjacent to Lot 3. Currently that area consists of a few small telescope pads, it has no available seating, and providing power for our educational programs is a challenge.
Working with the DNR and the engineering firm Stantec, we are planning:
- construction of a ground-level, two-tiered, natural seating ‘amphitheater’ to accommodate up to 100 people. It will be constructed primarily of stone with a grassy intermediate area. It will not be visible from the parking lot, but rather nestled into a naturally sloping berm that already exists. It is specifically designed to blend into our wilderness park.
- pathways to the viewing area will be designed with protection of the sand dunes and accessibility for all visitors as priorities;
- to screen the viewing area from light pollution generated by incoming vehicles, a stone wall will be built along the east edge of the parking area;
- the viewing area will include a small presentation platform;
- the number and spacing of telescope pads will allow for better viewing opportunities for our visitors;
- other facility enhancements: an accessible viewing platform at the end of the existing asphalt path to the beachfront; a small storage shed for equipment and charging.
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment on this master plan variance that would authorize the development of this enhanced dark sky viewing area at Newport. (The full variance document is available here.) Public comments are being accepted through December 4, 2024. They should be directed to:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O René Buys, DNR Property Planner
101 S. Webster St.
PO Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
ReneJ.Buys@wisconsin.gov or 608-982-1688
We hope you are supportive of what NWS feels are much-needed improvements to the night sky viewing experience at Newport. If you have a moment, your comments to the DNR would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
NWS Board of Directors
Below is a photo of the (much larger) seating area at the Headlands International Dark Sky Park near Mackinaw City, MI. Ignore the building (their museum and visitor center) and all the cement! Focus on the seating area. This is the inspiration for our ‘amphitheater’ design…ours being on a much smaller scale.
