In October of last year I started a thread about building a cabin at a dark sky location.
https://www.cloudyni...dark-sky-cabin/
This was the most widely read thread I have posted on CN and I (hopefully along with others) learned a lot from the contributions posted there. The end result for me was not a cabin at a dark sky location but rather something simpler, less expensive and also very rewarding - membership at Chiricahua Sky Village (CSV, https://chiricahuaskyvillage.com). CSV is located in southeast Arizona just west of the Chiricahua Mountains, a remote but beautiful and historically significant location with very dark skies.
CSV and its sister site Goldendale Sky Village (GSV) in Washington State (https://goldendaleskyvillage.com) were founded by a group of astronomers from WA, OR and AZ. The history and other information about these sites is well-described on their web sites.
The villages are not housing developments where astronomers can retire with their equipment. Neither are they prefabricated dream locations for members to just come and plonk down their gear and start observing. In each case some initial development, such as fencing off and gating the land, as well as divisions into lots and observing parks was made. This has been added to as the membership increases. GSV is the older of the two sites as has been somewhat more developed. What happens next is in the hands of the membership.
At CSV and GSV members buy shares in an LLC that owns the land (the site) and their shares are associated with specific lots within the site. At CSV the minimum lot area is 5,000 sq. ft. corresponding to one share. Members are free within some constraints to develop their lots as they see fit. In a later post I will describe what I have done with my lot thus far.
The challenges for an effort like this start with each member developing their own lot, including the observing set up, some kind of shelter for sleeping and storage. Next the members need to work together to develop the site as a whole.
The purpose of this thread is to provide an opportunity for members of CSV and GSV to post about their experiences there, including the challenges, as well as to share thoughts about best practices and future developments. Relevant observing reports and images are also welcome.
Equally importantly, input is sought from others in the CN community who have related interests and experiences, or are themselves perhaps interested in joining or even starting something like CSV or GSV.