High Plains Arboretum - State Historic Site Proposal

The High Plains Arboretum is located just west of Cheyenne and F.E. Warren Air Force Base off Roundtop Road. It is part of a more than 2,000-acre area that contains the following major uses:

- The High Plains Arboretum, operated by the City of Cheyenne through the Urban Forestry Division and Cheyenne Botanic Gardens;

- The High Plains Grasslands Research Station, operated by the USDA;

- Camp Carefree, a day camp operated by the Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming; and

- The Cheyenne National Cemetery, operated by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs.

The City of Cheyenne owns the entire property with the exception of the Cheyenne National Cemetery. All non-City uses are leased from the City.

In 2023, the City of Cheyenne requested that the Wyoming Division of State Parks and Historic Sites evaluate a portion of the site for inclusion as a state park or historic site due to its historic value and statewide importance.

Wyoming State Parks determined the site meets criteria to become a State Historic Site, and the proposal went to the Wyoming Legislature for consideration during the 2024 Legislative Session after receiving approval by the Joint Appropriations Committee. The proposal was House Bill 84. On Feb. 13, 2024, the bill died after failing to be introduced by the full House on a 41-20-1 vote (bills in budget sessions need a 2/3 'yes' vote - HB 84 fell one vote short). It is anticipated the bill will be brought back in the 2025 legislative session.

In 2024, the Laramie County Conservation District granted funds to conduct an inventory of all trees on the proposed site in partnership with Wyoming State Forestry. The inventory found over 6,000 existing trees and can be viewed at https://pg-cloud.com/highplainsarboretum/

Vision

Under the current proposal, Wyoming State Parks would lease 877 of the more than 2,000 acres from the City of Cheyenne, with the State Parks-administered section running generally from the Round Top Reservoir south to the end of the property at the BNSF Railroad. It would include much of the historic USDA research station buildings and houses used by the USDA.

The City would retain ownership of the property and would continue to operate the High Plains Arboretum.

Benefits

The partnership between State Parks and the City of Cheyenne would allow the potential of the existing facility to be fully realized.

State Parks would be able to preserve the structures of the High Plains Research Station and provide a quality visitor experience, which the City does not have the resources to do. Because the site has had a major impact on horticulture and best practices across Wyoming and the Mountain West, the site is of statewide importance. State Parks would create a master plan for the site and make improvements to the level of quality State Parks is known for.

The City of Cheyenne would be able to invest funds into improvement and maintenance of the Arboretum facilities, including historic trees at the site, and producing plants for local and statewide use.

Public Involvement

State Parks held a public meeting about the proposal at the Wyoming State Museum on Jan. 16, 2024. Information about future public meetings will be posted on this site. In the meantime, State Parks is accepting feedback here.

The Wyoming Legislature also has opportunities for public input. If you would like to find your representative and senator visit this page.

To schedule an informational talk or group tour, please contact Jessica Friis at 307-637-6349 or jfriis@cheyennecity.org

What's next?

The Wyoming Legislature will consider a bill to authorize the creation of the "High Plains Research Station and Arboretum State Historic Site" during the 2024 Legislative Session. The Joint Appropriations Committee approved a draft bill for introduction on Jan. 17. The Legislative Session began Feb. 12 and the proposal is known as House Bill 84. On Feb. 13, 2024, the bill died after failing to be introduced by the full House on a 41-20-1 vote (bills in budget sessions need a 2/3 'yes' vote - HB 84 fell one vote short). It is anticipated the bill will be brought back in the 2025 legislative session.

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