Friends of Rapid City Parks will host its 2010 city council candidate forum at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 3 at the Dahl Arts Center. The annual public forums provide park advocates an opportunity to ask candidates about their views on parks, environment, and preservation of the green ribbon along Rapid Creek.

This year 15 candidates are competing for 2-year terms representing Rapid City’s five wards.  In the five years since FRCP has sponsored the forum, green issues such as water quality, open space, bike paths, parks, and development in the floodway have taken on increasing importance among city voters.

Parks issues that are sure to be raised include continued attempts to develop in the floodway, acquisition of new park land, maintenance and support of existing parks, and contribution of parks and open space to Rapid City’s quality of life.

You can make a difference in how your tax dollars are spent in our city parks. Citizen comments on proposals to spend 2012 Vision funds are encouraged, as is your attendance at public meetings. Click here to fill out a comment form. Or see a schedule of public meetings. Read more about how Friends of Rapid City Parks views these proposals and why:

(more…)

Proposals from citizens and city departments that affect Rapid City parks are on the list of ideas for using 2012 Vision Funds. Ideas range from new, small neighborhood parks to ambitious proposals.

Friends of Rapid City Parks will be commenting on the various proposals at hearings that begin this week. The first proposal up for discussion is implementation of a system of trails in the Skyline Wilderness. To read more about the 2012 process click here.

For a copy of FRCP’s comments on the proposals see Action Alerts.

Vision 2012: Phase Four Subcommittee Public Hearing Schedule

All hearings will be held at The Dahl

713 7th Street Rapid City, SD

Economic Development

Chairperson: Gary Drewes

Wednesday, May 26, 2010 – 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  (Skyline Wilderness Park)

Thursday, May 27, 2010 – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Main Street Square)

(Public comment will be taken at both hearings for all Economic Development Projects.)

Municipal Infrastructure

Chairperson: Scott Amos

Tuesday, June 1, 2010 – 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Mary Hall Park, Skyline Wilderness Park, Sundial Pedestrian Bridge, West Memorial Park, Roosevelt Park Field House)

Saturday, June 5, 2010 – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 Noon (Mary Hall Park, Skyline Wilderness Park, Sundial Pedestrian Bridge, West Memorial Park, Roosevelt Park Field House)

(The exact order of presentations has not yet been released by the Municipal Infrastructuare Committee)

Civic Improvements

Chairperson: Gladys Storm

Thursday, May 27, 2010 – 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Bike Path Lighting, Mary Hall Park)

Thursday, June 3, 2010 – 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Rapid Creek Whitewater Park, Skyline Wilderness Park, Southwest Area Park, West Memorial Park, Roosevelt Park Field House)

(Public comment will be taken at both hearings for all Civic Improvements Projects.)