Our second annual “31 Parks in 31 Days” challenge on Facebook was a big success this year. At the high point of the contest we reached more than 570 people. If you think you’d like to try the challenge, don’t peek at Facebook (because the answers are there), but you can take the test questions in the post below.
We have been collaborating with the library to develop material that will be able to be accessed via “QR Codes” to be affixed to the Floodway interpretive signs. The signs were developed by the 1972 Flood Commemoration Committee and will soon be installed at 14 locations along Rapid Creek. The codes will enable cyclists, pedestrians and visitors with smart phones to capture the code to access information, photos, stories, interviews and more through the library’s Flood Wiki and Black Hills Knowledge Network.
Plans to create a “Promenade” between the Civic Center and downtown through Memorial Park are moving forward. Most recently, city officials and leaders from Destination Rapid City, sponsors of the project, agreed on plans to include a lighted pathway, a covered plaza area at the Civic Center end, and a plaza area and picnic tables on the Sixth Street bridge. Re-design of the Omaha Street crossing at Sixth Street is expected to improve access, but Friends has asked planners to monitor foot traffic before and after the Promenade construction in order to make a case for an underpass if that is needed in the future. Construction is expected to begin in October. You can read more about the Promenade project in the Rapid City Journal.
City council members meeting as the Vision committee last week not only released some funding to allow work on the proposed soccer complex to begin, they
gave assurances that even though Vision funds for the Horace Mann Pool repair and reconstruction are not scheduled until 2015, they are committed to the project. During our August parks challenge, we asked Friends to comment on the various Horace Mann Pool options under consideration, and here’s a sample of what they said:
“Given that the city has dragged it’s feet on this pool for years, and now wants to tie it’s improvement to benefit another location, I think they need to go ahead, fix the 50-meter pool, and then plan ahead to build an additional pool for leisure use in the future. Considering how much the neighborhood supports this pool and can’t afford to trek across town to another location, I think it’s foolish for the city to tie this project to benefit another location…the city has known, that this pool has been leaking for years, and NOW they’re finally going to do something, if they can take the racing pool out? Sounds like bribery to me.”
“Horace Mann pool is such a unique place to swim. For one, the beauty and view of the Hills from that area of the city draws people to the pool. I hope the city fixes the 50-meter pool (for triathlons and swimming competitions) plus builds a leisure pool. I realize that is a lot to ask in these difficult times, but Parkview and Jimmy Hilton pools are overcrowded. Our city is growing and people need options for inexpensive, safe, healthy fun for all ages. Don’t listen to the naysayers and complainers, and fix the pool. If we can try attracting Lady Gaga to the civic center, we can certainly provide new, clean, functioning outdoor activities for the people who don’t want to go see her.”
