JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — The Jackson Hole Land Trust is hosting a grand opening of Greenspace on the Block Tuesday, June 7, from 5-8pm.
The free celebration is a fete for the more than 2,500 community members who stepped up to save the historic greenspace in the heart of downtown. Attendees can enjoy free loaded mac-and-cheese and cocktails from Genevieve Catering, Roadhouse beer, wine, and live music from Strumbucket, all presented by Bank of Jackson Hole.
In the summer of 2019, JHLT led a fast and furious community fundraising effort to “Save the Block” from imminent development in partnership with an anonymous family. The campaign’s resounding success should not have been a surprise given the community’s love for the space and its readiness to pitch in where necessary. Still, the effort was monumental and the result is a picnic-ready grass area with towering cottonwoods—a sort of “local’s town square” where friends and neighbors can gather.
“This project has truly been a way to meet the people of Jackson where they are,” said JHLT vice president Liz Long. “The Greenspace on the Block is this natural intersection of land conservation and community. We are so excited to celebrate with the people who made this place possible and kick off a summer of partnership programming with a bang.”
Background
On August 16, 2019, JHLT placed a conservation easement on the Block, restricting further development of the buildings that now house Persephone, Café Genevieve, and Healthy Being Juicery, and providing a path to ownership for these locally-owned businesses and the Jackson Hole Historical Society & Museum. The easement also forever protects the open space between the buildings, now known as the Greenspace on the Block—owned and managed by JHLT for the community.
Since then, the Land Trust has made thoughtful improvements to the Greenspace on the Block, guided by the vision of Hershberger Design. Graded walking trails and interpretive signage will invite visitors into the new community conservation property. Age and ability-friendly benches, funded by AARP and crafted by local designers Hise Sikora and Prospect Studio, will offer opportunities for conversation with friends or quiet reflection.
A new service drive provides much-needed infrastructure to Block businesses that is cohesive with the overall design for the space. JHLT received a generous grant from Teton Conservation District that puts Cache Creek at the fore of the greenspace. Nearly all of this stream is piped underground beneath the streets of Jackson. The Greenspace on the Block provides an important view of what was once a flourishing waterway and invites reflection on the future of conservation and resource stewardship in the valley.
