Development Concept Plan, Amendment To The General Management Plan, Crater Lake National Park, Mazama Campground/Rim Village Corridor
Introduction
The General Management Plan for Crater Lake National Park (G MP), approved in 1977, contained proposals for improvement of the park environment and visitor services. However, the GMP left the question of lodging open for resolution at such time as the existing lodge had outlived its useful life. This development concept plan addresses the issues of visitor lodging and other services and amends the GMP.
At public meetings and in written comment the public suggested that the Park Service should restudy the entire issue of preservation or adaptive use of the lodge. The Park Service hired private consultants to study possible rehabilitation of the lodge, and using that information, has further studied adaptive use options and the feasibility of year-round use. These studies, closely monitored by representatives of the historic preservation community, confirmed previous Park Service studies concerning the condition of the lodge and the extensive work required to bring it up to standard. At the same time, another firm has been working on the design of facilities at Mazama Campground and studying concepts for new lodging, interpretive, and day use facilities.In the spring of 1984, the National Park Service held public meetings on a draft development concept plan and environmental assessment for the redevelopment of the Mazama Campground/Rim Village corridor in Crater Lake National Park. The draft plan included proposals for new lodging, camper service facilities, and interpretive facilities within this corridor. The alternatives ranged from removal of virtually all facilities from the Rim Village with development provided elsewhere in the corridor, to the development of a new lodge and interpretive facilities in the Rim Village with removal or adaptive use of the existing lodge if a cost-effective adaptive use could be found. The alternatives were generally accepted by the public, except for considerable concern about Crater Lake Lodge.
Most elements of the 1984 alternatives were not controversial. These included restoration of a pedestrian environment by relocation of the linear parking area in the Rim Village, development of an interpretive center, and connection of Rim Village facilities to the Munson Valley wastewater treatment system.
Other topics that were not controversial included replacing the dilapidated cold-water cabins behind the cafeteria with new cabins and a camper services facility near the Mazama Campground and relocating the gas station from Munson Valley to the campground area. Most respondents agreed that some year-round lodging at a varied price range should be provided in the park.
Late in 1987, four new alternatives – variations of the 1984 preferred alternative – were presented for public comment. The basic concept of all alternatives was that the Rim Village would remain the focal point for overnight lodging, day use visitor services, and interpretation. A major objective of all alternatives was the restoration of the rim area in the village to a more natural, leisurely, pedestrian environment. Three of the alternatives included construction of a new lodge providing year-round lodging in the Rim Village, and all included additional lodging units (cabins) at the Mazama cabin development. The four alternatives included full rehabilitation of the existing lodge, two possible adaptive uses, and its removal.
Again, at public meetings and in written comments, it was clear that the respondents wanted the existing lodge to be preserved and used for lodging. The public also wanted year-round lodging, a varied price range of accommodations, and improved food services. There was considerable expression that Crater Lake should play a stronger role in the tourism industry through providing year-round lodging facilities while preserving the existing lodge’s historic qualities.
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