You will see some changes coming to Newport State Park near Ellison Bay in the near future after the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources approved a variance to its master plan on Tuesday.

The variance allows the park to add a new 100-seat amphitheater, a storage shed, a low wall to prevent light pollution from the parking lot, an observation deck, electricity to power the site, and a network of walking paths to connect the pieces. The improvements will be incorporated in the day-use area near Parking Lot 3 on the east side of Newport State Park.

According to the DNR, more than 150 comments were received, many of which supported the variance, emphasizing how the improvements would positively impact staff, volunteers, and parkgoers. Other commenters expressed concern about the new development's consequences on plants and wildlife and its popularity as a dark sky park, which are all aspects the DNR stated they would address as they build it out. 

The changes will fund the Newport Wilderness Society, the Friends group of Newport State Park.

You can read the full variance from the DNR here.

Picture courtesy of the WIsconsin DNR